PANAJI
The Crime Branch (CB) of the Goa Police arrested an alleged interstate heroin supplier from Uttar Pradesh, exposing narcotics network stretching from the Indo-Nepal border to Goa and operating through digital payments and long-distance bus services.
Details shared by CB SP Rahul Gupta stated that the arrest followed an investigation that began on May 20, when CB officers raided an area near the wholesale fish market at Betim Jetty and detained two Nepalese nationals on charges of alleged drug trafficking. A total of 39.88 gms of heroin valued at about Rs 8.88 lakh, along with a scooter and mobile phones, were seized.
The two accused were identified as Arjun Bishwokarma, 36, and Chetkant Oli, 25.
As the investigation progressed, CB officers arrested a third Nepalese national, Narishore Bhandari. Police said interrogation of the accused, coupled with analysis of digital records and financial transactions, pointed to a larger supply chain extending from the Indo-Nepal border region into Goa.
“Heroin orders were allegedly placed with a supplier based in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh through mobile communication. Payments were made through online banking and digital payment platforms, after which the narcotics were allegedly dispatched through parcels sent on direct bus services operating between Goa and Rupaidiha, a town on the Indo-Nepal border,” the CB said.
Technical surveillance, financial tracking and examination of digital evidence led the team to identify the alleged supplier as Ekhlaq Ahmad, also known as Manna Malik, a resident of Bahraich.
The SP said that Ahmad has several criminal cases registered against him, including offences related to murder, attempted murder, robbery, violations of the Arms Act and narcotics-related crimes.
Acting on intelligence gathered during the probe, a CB team travelled to Uttar Pradesh and, with assistance from the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force, conducted a joint operation in Bahraich district, resulting in Ahmad's arrest.
“The arrest revealed important links in an interstate narcotics network operating through the Indo-Nepal border corridor. Efforts are now focused on identifying other members of the syndicate, tracing the source of the drugs, establishing financial connections and dismantling the wider network,” he said.
