Indian actress Mamta Kulkarni under investigation for links to drug cartel

Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni is being investigated by police for her alleged role as a central figure in an international drug smuggling ring, Indian media reported on Thursday.

The investigation was launched after Indian police seized 20 tonnes of the contraband ephedrine drug being smuggled into the country earlier this month, reports said.

The development came as investigators revealed on Wednesday that Mamta's Kenya-based husband, Vicky Goswami, was the kingpin of the drug operation.

In a tip-off by the United States' Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) earlier, Goswami was listed as a prime suspect in the investigation. He was arrested for drug trafficking in Dubai 1997 and served 15 years in a prison there.

But police are now also investigating Mamta’s role as the face of the international drug cartel.

According to Indian media reports quoting an unnamed police officer, Mamta's husband used the former actress meet clients in Dubai, Singapore, South Africa and the US.

She also allegedly struck business deals with drug networks in Maharashtra, while her name was also used to carry out bank transactions.

Mumta Kulkarni is a former Bollywood actress. Her acting career peaked during the 1990s and later on quit the industry at the turn of the century.