MAPUSA
In bid to act against illicit drug trade, police raided Shiva Valley, a popular restaurant in Anjuna but failed to come across any contraband during the search.
Police, however, found “incriminating” material such as cigarette butts, ash, glasses etc., which was seized by the raiding team and will be subjected to forensic examination.
Armed with a search warrant, Anjuna Police formed a team comprising a scientific assistant and dog squad and raided the place at around 5 pm on Saturday.
“We had information that drugs were supplied to Shiv Valley and therefore a search operation was conducted in the premises of the restaurant. We have seized some incriminating material which will be scientifically examined for the presence of drugs. Based on the report, action will be taken against the owner and the manager of the restaurant,” said Jivba Dalvi, Mapusa SDPO.
Sources informed that one of the accused involved in drug trade, who were recently nabbed in Siolim, spilled the beans during interrogation naming various restaurants where drugs were supplied.
“A restaurant in Pernem is also on the radar. We have alerted the Pernem PI to take necessary action against the restaurant,” a senior police official informed.
It may be recalled in a similar raid, police had searched the ‘House of Chapora’ a restaurant at Chapora jetty, on Friday and seized some articles which have also been sent for forensic examination.
On Thursday, Anjuna Police had arrested two persons in a drug raid and allegedly seized LSD papers worth Rs 1 lakh from the duo. The accused Suraj Todi (29) of Karnataka and Kalidas Naik of Anjuna have since been remanded to police custody.
“One of the accused has been cooperating with the police and providing us details of various deals and supply chains. More places will be raided,” an officer involved in the investigation said.
Anjuna PI Prashal Dessai has been heading the team which conducted the raid.
Incidentally, Shiva Valley has been in the news in the past for all the wrong reasons. Besides the narcotics angle, the restaurant was also accused of playing loud music beyond the stipulated hours in the night.
