PANAJI
Twenty-one days into the investigation of one of the biggest drug seizures involving youths from Kerala and Karnataka, Goa Police’s Crime Branch sleuths claim to have busted a Golden Triangle-based drug smuggling racket.
With three accused including a key member arrested, Look-Out Circulars and a Blue Notice have been issued against other gang members hiding in Thailand.
The case pertains to the busting of a drug racket on March 8, when Goutham M, a 26-year-old native of Bengaluru residing in Mapusa, was arrested.
He was caught red-handed with a transparent polythene packet containing dried greenish fruiting tops (buds), suspected to be hydroponic weed (Ganja), weighing 11.672 kg and valued at Rs 11.67 crore. The contraband was hidden in his rented room.
Superintendent of Police (CB) Rahul Gupta said that during interrogation, the accused revealed that his friend Taslim, based in Bangkok, had contacted him and offered Rs 1 lakh to deliver a drug consignment from Bangkok to India. Further disclosures led to the identification and arrest of Shilna A on March 12, from Bengaluru.
Gupta revealed that Shilna is a key member of the group operating from Bangkok and coordinates with local suppliers in Bangalore.
"A financial investigation further revealed that Sreejil PP from Kannur, Kerala, was the financial backbone of the gang. He had booked international flight tickets for Goutham and others suspected to be involved in the drug syndicate. He was apprehended on March 19… upon interrogation, it has come to light that the drugs were intended to be sold in Goa,” the officer said.
