PANAJI
The arrest of a Nigerian from the tourism belt is not just likely to unearth a much-larger nexus of the drug trade operated from within the State, it could also bring under scanner foreigners on student visas. Among Nigerians, only three students are officially in Goa.The Nigerian, whose identity is yet to be revealed to the media, was quick to plunge into the trade soon after he arrived in Goa. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in a follow-up action to an arrest of a Bolivian woman at Mumbai airport with high-grade black cocaine swooped on the Nigerian student on September 28.
NCB Zonal Director Amit Gawathe told The Goan that the Nigerian had arrived in Goa on a student visa in April 2022.
“The investigation is still alive. More details will be unearthed soon,” he further said while replying to a question by this reporter.
The Rs 13-crore consignment was en route to Goa through 35-year-old Nava Marina, who was caught by the NCB Mumbai team shortly before she was slated to board a connecting flight to Goa. She confessed to her investigators that the parcels were to be delivered to the Nigerian, who was eventually arrested and transferred to the Mumbai NCB office for interrogation.
The educational institute he was pursuing his studies and his place of stay could be dragged into the probe as a part of its routine procedure. Sources said his batch-mates, landlord and neighbours could be quizzed to find further lead, if any.
As per the records of the FRRO Goa Police, nine Nigerians are currently registered with it wherein three are on students visa while six possess entry visa.
