PANAJI
The Crime Branch of Goa Police on Sunday conducted a narcotics raid at Dona Paula arresting three persons for being in illegal possession of Rs 8.5 lakh worth MDMA.
The investigating team received information about illegal drugs being transported to Goa for sale and consumption on New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The police team then raided the room at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula and arrested accused Ayan Ali Khan from Hyderabad, Valentine Pereira from Mumbai and Strome Fernandes from Mumbai after search of their belongings. During the search, police found 85 g MDMA worth around Rs 8.5 lakh concealed in their vehicle, a Mercedes Benz and in their room.
The vehicle has been attached by the investigating team.
Goa Police have tightened the loose this month on the illicit drug trade in the state in view of the large number of tourists flooding the state for the season. This is the third such raid during which massive quantities of drugs have been seized.
The Anti-Narcotics Cell of Goa Police had recently undertaken two successful raids at Arambol arresting two Nigerian nationals with narcotic substances worth approximately Rs 22 lakh in the international market.
The raids were a part of the ANC’s targeted effort at cracking down a larger network of drug peddlers operational in the northern coast of the state. Both the accused nabbed during these two latest raids are believed to be a part of this same network.
In Pernem, police had also arrested a native of Jammu and Kashmir on charges of possessing drugs, after raiding a shack at Arambol.
A police team led by PSI Sanjit Kandolkar and under the supervision of PI Dalvi had conducted the raid night and nabbed Faisal Ahmed (25) of Baramulla, J&K in possession of charas worth Rs 5,000.
An offence under the NDPS Act had been registered against the accused. Further investigation is in progress.
