PANAJI
In a major blow to an international drug syndicate having its tentacles in major cities besides Goa, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai arrested two carriers from Zambia and Tanzania, and seized 2 kgs of cocaine.
According to senior officials of the NCB Mumbai, the network has a presence in various Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Goa.
“In an effort to curb drug trafficking in the festive season, intelligence was gathered wherein it was noted that a notorious international drug syndicate has sketched a plan to smuggle cocaine into India. Urgent intervention to the input and development of the information led to the identification of a carrier named LA Gilmore, a Zambian national,” the official said.
As more information was gathered, the NCB team mounted surveillance at a hotel in Mumbai from where Gilmore was intercepted and searched. Initially, no suspicious items were recovered from his belongings but a closer examination of the carry bag itself led to abnormalities along the bag layering. When cut open, two packets were recovered and when further opened, cocaine weighing a total of 2 kg was recovered.
Gilmore had arrived from Lusaka, Zambia for the drug consignment. His interrogation led the team to Delhi to follow up on the matter. A Tanzanian lady named MR Augustino, who was to receive the consignment from Gilmore, was arrested in Delhi.
“They had plans to sell the drugs to various Indian cities given the festive season, and also Goa where tourist season is also reaching its peak,” the official said, adding that demand for cocaine and other such high-end party drugs has increased.
