Panaji: Alleged drug peddler Gaurav Shubchandani (44), a native of Rajasthan, who was arrested by the crime branch police in connection with a drugs case, used to procure psychotropic drug MDMA from Nigerian nationals in Goa, police sources said. The drugs were subsequently sold for a little higher price to consumers, especially tourists.
Sources said Shubchandani has reportedly claimed that he used to contact Nigerian nationals living in Goa and purchase the contraband. The claim made by the accused is being verified, said police sources. However, it is a known fact that Nigerian nationals are involved in drug peddling, as among foreign nationals arrested in drug cases, most are usually from Nigeria. A senior police officer said that it is seen that among foreign nationals arrested in drug cases in Goa, most are Nigerian nationals.
Shubchandani was arrested last week during a raid at Parra-Bardez, and the police had seized MDMA worth around Rs 88,000.
The crime branch police in the last week have booked three cases under the NDPS Act and have nabbed three alleged drug peddlers and seized drugs such as ganja and MDMA.
In the third case, the crime branch police said a raid was conducted at a location in Guirim, Bardez, and Vikas Rathod (20) was arrested on Thursday. Police said a substance suspected to be the psychotropic drug MDMA, weighing 6.613 grams, was seized, including one mobile phone, all worth Rs 1.15 lakh. The accused is a resident of Anjuna-Bardez, police said.
On Wednesday, the crime branch police had arrested Mohammad Rehan, 28, and seized ganja worth Rs 1 lakh during a raid at Guirim on Wednesday night. Rehan is a native of Bengaluru.
