PANAJI
THe Anti-Narcotic Cell (ANC) sleuths arrested a 20-year-old Mumbai resident in Mapusa for possession of high-grade hydroponic weed worth Rs 15 lakh.
The accused, identified as Om Verlekar, was apprehended on Sunday evening near the interstate bus stand in Mapusa. Acting on specific intelligence inputs about an interstate drug supply network, ANC sleuths tracked the suspect over a period of two days using human intelligence and technical surveillance.
"Upon his arrival in Goa on Sunday afternoon, Verlekar allegedly intended to distribute the narcotics within the state's thriving upcoming long weekend party circuit. However, ANC operatives intercepted him before he could reach his customers," reads a statement issued by the ANC adding that the raid was led by DySP ANC Nerlon Albuquerque under the leadership of SP ANC Sunita Sawant.
During the operation, officers seized 150 grams of hydroponic ganja from his possession.
Sources within the ANC revealed that Verlekar would regularly procure the narcotics from Mumbai and transport them to Goa with the intent to sell during high-tourist weekends. Preliminary interrogation has confirmed this modus operandi.
