THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
In another breakthrough against drug trafficking, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) arrested a German national in Vagator, just days after arresting a West Bengal native with high-value drugs.
The two back-to-back operations, conducted within a span of one week, indicate the presence of a suspected network of drug peddlers involved in synthetic drugs in the State.
Superintendent of Police (ANC) Tikam Singh Verma said that the latest raid, conducted late Monday night in Vagator, led to the arrest of German national Sebastian Hesler, who was found in possession of drugs worth Rs 24 lakh approx. “We recovered 10 grams of ketamine powder, 400 grams of ketamine liquid, 13 LSD blot papers and 2 kilograms of ganja from him,” the SP said. Hesler stayed in Vagator on a tourist visa since November last year.
This operation was a follow-up to an earlier case where the ANC arrested Avneet Sengupta, hailing from West Bengal, with 16 grams of MDMA and over 50 grams of high-quality cocaine. With both busts combined, the ANC seized drugs valued at approximately Rs 32-33 lakh in a matter of days.
To a media question of a larger network suspected behind these cases, Verma said they are working on leads.
“We are getting leads. This German had supplied drugs to Sengupta, so we are investigating further. Our priority is to track the sources and unearth the entire network. We are also probing the involvement of a kingpin, if any,” he replied.
According to preliminary investigations, there seems to be a pattern. The SP confirmed the two alleged drug peddlers were friends, and that there were definite connections. “Sengupta had been travelling to Germany. Both were friends… We are working on establishing the extent of their involvement,” he added.
On being asked whether synthetic drugs were becoming more prevalent in Goa, the SP did not deny the concern. “Maybe… our team is actively working to crack down on the supply chain. We will apprehend all those involved,” the officer said.
