NT Reporter
Panaji
Busting an inter-state drug trafficking network, the Crime Branch of Goa Police arrested four accused persons, including three Nepalese nationals and
a key alleged supplier from Uttar Pradesh identified
as Ekhlaq Ahmad alias Manna Malik.
Police said the racket involved the supply of heroin from the Indo-Nepal border region to Goa through parcel deliveries sent on direct Goa-Rupaidiha bus services. Rupaidiha is located in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh near the India-Nepal border.
The investigation began on May 20 when the Crime Branch arrested Arjun Bishwokarma (36) and Chetkant Oli (25), both natives of Nepal, during a raid
near the wholesale fish market at the Malim-Betim jetty. Police seized 39.88 grams of heroin valued at approximately Rs 8.88 lakh from their possession.
During further investigation, a third Nepalese national, Narishore Bhandari, was also arrested. Police said all three accused were employed on fishing trawlers in Goa and were allegedly involved in drug peddling activities.
Crime Branch Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta said detailed interrogation of the accused, along with analysis of digital evidence and scrutiny of financial transactions, revealed a well-organised narcotics supply chain operating between the Indo-Nepal border and Goa.
“The accused would place orders for heroin with a supplier based in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. Payments were allegedly made through online banking and digital payment platforms. Once payment was confirmed, the contraband was dispatched through parcels on direct Goa-Rupaidiha bus services,” Gupta said.
He added that Rupaidiha was allegedly being used
as a key transit point for movement of narcotics before the drugs were distributed in Goa.
Following the financial trail, digital evidence and technical surveillance, the Crime Branch identified
the supplier as Ekhlaq Ahmad alias Manna Malik, a resident of Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh.
Police said Malik has multiple criminal antecedents, including cases
related to murder, attempt to murder, robbery, Arms Act violations and narcotics offences.
Based on intelligence inputs, the Crime Branch, with assistance from the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), launched a joint operation in Bahraich district and successfully apprehended Malik.
Gupta said further investigation is underway to identify other members of the syndicate, trace
the source of the narcotics, establish financial links
and dismantle the entire network.
The operation was carried out by the Crime Branch team led by PI Mahesh Gadekar in coordination with the Uttar Pradesh STF. The investigation was
conducted under the supervision of SP Jivba Dalvi
and overall supervision of SP Rahul Gupta.
