Panaji : The anti-narcotics cell (ANC) of the Goa police has rearrested the Nigerian national Chigozie Innocent Nzedigwe (24) and seized drugs worth over Rs 2.53 crore from him during a raid conducted in the wee hours of Thursday in Siolim. Nzedigwe was arrested by the ANC in October last year.
He was arrested for the illegal possession of cocaine and ecstasy powder. Nzedigwe was later released on bail. Thereafter, the ANC had been keeping a close watch on his activities.
The police said that Nzedigwe had been residing at Oxel in Siolim in Bardez taluka.
During the raid conducted on Thursday he was found with illegal possession of narcotic drugs cocaine weighing 1.16 kg worth Rs 2,32,46,000 and also ecstasy powder weighing 106.2 grams worth Rs 21,24,000, all worth around Rs 2,53,70,000.
As part of its strategic crackdown on drug menace in the state, the police have been watchful on over 54 drug peddlers. A senior police officer had said the department prepared a list of drug peddlers/dealers, and that their activities have been under watch round the clock.
The police have also been keeping a track on the accused arrested in drugs cases, and have been out on bail.
Compared to 2023, the police in 2024 seized drugs valued over Rs 9.81 crore which is around 80 per cent more. The police in 2023 booked 140 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, arresting 166 people. The police had seized different types of drugs valued at over Rs 5.47 crore.
While in 2024, the police booked 159 cases and arrested 188 accused, which resulted in the seizure of drugs valued over Rs 9.81 crore.
The police said that owing to the intensive drive against the drugs trade led to a record seizure of drugs this year.
In the highest ever drugs seizure, the police in the first six months of the year seized drugs worth over Rs 73.75 crore while last year (between January to December) the total value of the seized drugs was over Rs 9.81 crore.
