Security sources told The Goan that Jordan Brown stayed in Canacona from March 28 to May 7, after which he travelled across Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh before allegedly attempting to cross into Nepal through an unauthorised route near the sensitive Sonauli border on July 11.
The Goa leg of Brown's stay assumed significance as the security forces are verifying his claim that he frequently visited the State for parties and drug consumption while also examining the purpose behind his extended presence here.
“The probe will also examine whether his stay in Goa was purely recreational or formed part of an extensive travel pattern. Various central agencies, including the NIA, are probing him and whether the missing travel documents were genuinely lost or deliberately discarded to conceal his identity or immigration status,” the source said.
The development comes at a time when Goa has been witnessing a steady rise in rail arrivals, most of whom are allegedly left unchecked. Official tourism data show that nearly 19.88 lakh passengers arrived in the State by train between January and May this year.
The investigation sleuths have also reconstructed Brown’s unusual travel trail across India. After leaving Goa, he stayed in Mysuru between May 14 and July 7 before moving to Bengaluru on July 8 and Hyderabad the following day. On July 10 alone, sources said, he travelled through Bandol in Madhya Pradesh, Seoni and later reached Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh before being traced to Bhagwanpur near the Sonauli border on July 11.
“The compressed itinerary is inconsistent with that of a typical foreign tourist. Brown moved rapidly not only between major cities but also through smaller towns in different states within a short period. The agencies are examining the purpose behind his movements,” the source said.
The revelations have allegedly left Goa police red-faced amidst its claims of a robust security and intelligence apparatus.
