Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Nov 13: In a continued crackdown on drug trafficking in Goa, the Anti Narcotic Police Station (ANC) has seized suspected narcotic substances worth approximately Rs 2.51 lakh and arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with the case, police said on Friday.
The raid was conducted by the ANC team at Ashwem and Mandrem during the early hours of Thursday. The accused has been identified as Rohan Panchal, a resident of Junaswada, Mandrem.
During the operation, police recovered 24 blot papers of suspected LSD in mixed colours, weighing 0.78 grams and valued at approximately Rs 2.40 lakh.
The team also seized 114.16 grams of suspected Ganja, comprising dried leafy material containing flowering and fruiting tops of the Cannabis plant, valued at around Rs 11,400.
The total value of the seized narcotic substances is estimated at Rs 2,51,400. The contraband was concealed in a blackish-coloured sling bag and the dicky compartment of an Activa scooter, police said.
A case has been registered at ANC Police Station vide Crime No. 22/2026 under Sections 22(c) and 20(b)(ii)(A) of the NDPS Act, 1985. The accused was arrested after completing the required legal formalities.
The operation was conducted under the supervision and guidance of Harishchandra Madkaikar, GPS, Superintendent of Police, ANC; Hiru Kavlekar, presently holding charge of ANC Police Station; and Police Inspector Sagun Sawant.
Further investigation is being conducted by PSI Gaurav G. Naik of ANC Police Station to trace the source of the drugs and identify other persons allegedly involved in the trafficking network.
Meanwhile, in a separate major drug seizure in Mumbai, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the city's Bangur Nagar Police Station seized 4,227 grams of cocaine valued at approximately Rs 21.13 crore and arrested two persons on Thursday.
Police are investigating the source of the seized cocaine, its intended recipients and the wider drug network allegedly involved in the operation. Investigators are also probing whether other individuals assisted the accused in operating the narcotics racket.