Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

Morjim, Oct 28: A Nigerian national and a woman from Nachinola have been arrested in connection with the seizure of suspected cocaine and cash worth Rs 33.14 lakh from a guest house at Bandekarwada in Morjim in August.

According to police, a team from Mandrem Police Station, along with officials of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), visited the guest house on the night of August 22 as part of a joint check targeting foreign nationals allegedly overstaying in the country without valid documents.

During the inspection, two Senegalese nationals, Bouba Samba, 31, and Aliou Moustapha, 31, were allegedly found in possession of a whitish powder suspected to be cocaine, weighing 222.92 grams and valued at Rs 22,29,200. Cash amounting to Rs 10,85,300 was also seized from the premises.

The total value of the seized suspected drugs and cash was Rs 33,14,500. Both accused were arrested and are currently in judicial custody.

During their custodial interrogation and subsequent technical surveillance, police allegedly found that Evilee Pereira, 32, of Nachinola, had been receiving money generated through the narcotics trade from sources linked to the two accused. She allegedly deposited the money into various bank accounts, from where it was further used in the narcotics trade. Pereira was subsequently arrested in connection with the case.

Mandrem police said a team was later deployed to Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh during the investigation. One Nigerian national, William Ugochukwu Izuchukwu, was allegedly receiving money to procure narcotic substances and facilitate further trade.

Izuchukwu was detained in Uttar Pradesh and brought to Mandrem Police Station on October 23, where he was placed under arrest for further investigation.

Further investigation is being carried out under the supervision of Police Inspector Girendre J Naik, under the guidance of Pernem SDPO Ashish Shirodkar and North Goa Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta.