PANAJI
In a joint crackdown on drug trafficking, the North District Police and Crime Branch (CB) arrested five persons from Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, and seized narcotics worth over Rs 16 lakh in three separate operations carried out within 24 hours.
In the major bust, the CB arrested three men from Udupi, Karnataka, in the early hours of Saturday near the Goa State Central Library in Panaji. Superintendent of Police (CB) Rahul Gupta stated that acting on specific intelligence, the CB team recovered 91.934 grams of MDMA, a car and seven mobile phones from Sajeer (33), Moidin Ashmin (22), and Mohammad Suhel (21). The accused hail from Udupi, Karnataka and the total seizure is estimated to be worth Rs 12 lakh.
In a separate raid near Assagao Church late Friday night, Anjuna police arrested Santosh Lamani (24), originally from Karnataka, with 9.49 grams of MDMA and 4.46 grams of cocaine hidden in a school bag.
Gupta, also holding charge of North district, said the seized drugs are valued at Rs 2.10 lakh approx.
Earlier that evening, another team of Anjuna police arrested Anil Kumar (26) of Himachal Pradesh near the football ground at Peddem. He was found carrying 182 grams of charas valued at Rs 1.82 lakh, concealed in a black waist bag, and Rs 43,000 cash.
“In all three cases, Goa Police ensured adherence to Supreme Court guidelines during arrest and seizure procedures. These actions reflect the department’s strong commitment to eradicating the drug trade from the state,” the SP said.
