Goa Police Anti-Narcotics Cell Seizes Drugs Worth Rs 9.2 Lakh, Cracks Down On Interstate Smuggling

The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Goa Police made significant strides in its fight against drug trafficking, conducting multiple raids and arrests, and seizing drugs worth Rs 9.2 lakh, a press release stated on Tuesday (31 December).

These operations also resulted in the dismantling of an interstate ganja smuggling network.

In the first operation, the ANC detained five individuals during the Sunburn Music Festival on suspicion of consuming narcotics.

The detainees included individuals from Texas (USA), Hyderabad, Chennai, Madhya Pradesh, and a local from Cuncolim.

Saliva tests confirmed the presence of banned substances—four tested positive for ganja, and one for cocaine.

In a separate operation, a local youth was arrested near ITI Tuem for allegedly possessing and supplying Ecstasy and Charas worth Rs 7.7 lakh.

The ANC posed as customers to apprehend Haldankar during a drug delivery.

Simultaneously, the ANC conducted another raid in Parra, Bardez, arresting Nigerian national Joseph Uzor (44) for possession of cocaine worth Rs 1.5 lakh.

Investigations are ongoing to verify Uzor's background and the legitimacy of his stay in Goa.

In a major breakthrough, the ANC arrested Guddu Mochi Ram, the kingpin of an interstate ganja supply network, from Palamu, Jharkhand. Earlier, the ANC had arrested two youths from Jharkhand and a Goan youth at Assnora with 13 kg of ganja.

Following a meticulous investigation and technical surveillance, the ANC identified and apprehended the main supplier, who had been using economically disadvantaged individuals as transporters.

The arrest was made in collaboration with Palamu Police, showcasing effective inter-state coordination. The accused is currently in police custody for five days.

In another operation, the ANC and Goa Police Crime Branch assisted the Delhi Police Crime Branch in apprehending a Portuguese national from Colva.

The individual was linked to a case in Delhi involving the seizure of 3.5 kg of Charas worth Rs 2.5 crore. Investigations are underway to trace further connections within Goa and beyond.

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