VALPOI
The anti-drug drive in Sattari taluka has intensified after the Goa Crime Branch conducted a major operation in the Honda area, seizing 2.332 kilograms of ganja worth ₹2,33,200 and arresting one suspect. A case has been registered against the accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and the court has remanded him to four days of police custody.
The arrested suspect has been identified as Pritesh Gaonkar (28), a resident of Honda, Sattari. Acting on credible information, a special team of the Crime Branch raided the location where the suspect was residing. During the operation, the team recovered 2.332 kilograms of ganja, which was seized under a panchanama. Police estimated the market value of the seized contraband at ₹2,33,200.
Police are investigating whether the seized ganja was intended for local distribution or had been brought from outside Goa for supply within the Sattari region. The Crime Branch has also begun probing the supply chain, including the identities of those who supplied the ganja to the accused, his possible associates, financial transactions, and other links connected to the operation. Mobile call records, financial dealings, and other evidence are being examined as part of the investigation.
The raid was carried out under the leadership of Police Inspector Dattaguru K. Sawant. The operation was conducted under the guidance of Crime Branch Superintendent of Police Jeeva Dalvi and Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta. The team included Assistant Sub-Inspector Dinesh Mirkulkar, Head Constable Sandeep Madkaikar, and Police Constables Sainath Korpadekar, Sainath Govekar, Shrikrishna Matkar, and Pundalik Naikelkar.
