PANAJI
In a major breakthrough into an international prostitution ring that saw alleged police nexus, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Goa arrested a Kenyan student Newton Muthuri Kimani while also exposing hawala operations linked to the illegal trade.
Kimani was arrested on December 9 and produced before the local Court that has sent the accused to six days of police custody. The student has been studying in Goa and the ED is also expected to approach his educational institution for further details.
Information shared by the ED states that they launched an investigation based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered by Anjuna Police wherein two Nigerian nationals -- Isralite alias Dorcas Maria, and Olokpa were arrested for operating the racket.
“The accused persons used to bring young African girls to Goa on the pretext of providing jobs in the Indian hospitality industry and forcing them into prostitution activities. Our investigation revealed that Kimani managed multiple accounts in which certain amounts were being credited on behalf of various persons involved in running the immoral trafficking racket,” an official said.
The ongoing probe further revealed that this money generated through illegal means, was subsequently transferred to Kenya and other countries through the M-PESA app and some other foreign bank accounts with the help of some suspected Hawala operators.
A search operation was conducted in Anjuna during which a Kenyan national who was forced into immoral trafficking by Maria was rescued along with another Kenyan Girl.
On the basis of information gathered, three search operations were carried out in Gujarat and Punjab resulting in seizing incriminating documents and digital devices, the official said.
The Anjuna police, in September, rescued the victims and arrested the African nationals after a tip off by NGO ARZ. A head constable was also shunted to the Goa Reserve Police ‘B’ Coy hours after the raid following allegations that he collected protection money to allow the illegal operations in the northern coastal belt.
However, apart from his transfer, no action has been taken against him by the Goa Police, even as it is learnt that he went on a long leave after the transfer order.
