Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a significant operation against drug trafficking, the Goa Police Crime Branch seized 4.325 kilograms of suspected cocaine valued at approximately Rs 43.2 crore during a raid conducted near the Chicolna bus stand in Mormugao.
The raid was executed based on specific intelligence and was led by PI Laxi G. Amonkar, along with a dedicated team comprising PI Prashal Dessai, PCs Samiulla Makandar (B.No.6893), Navin Palyenkar (PC-5992), Sujay Naik (PC-6752), Rahul Naik (PC-7290), LPC Roshni Shirodkar (LPC-8488), and HG Nitam Khot.
“The Crime Branch conducted a narcotics raid in Chicalim (Chicolna), Mormugao, arresting three individuals, including Nibu Vicent (45) from Baina, and a husband-wife duo, Mangesh and Reshma Wadekar from Sada,” said SP Crime Branch Rahul Gupta IPS
He further informed that the drugs were allegedly found in possession of 4.325 kg of cocaine, valued at ₹43.20 crore, concealed in chocolate and coffee packets.
The accused, identified as Nibu Vincent, alias Wilson (45), a native of Thakur Pukur, Kolkata, and currently residing in Vasco da Gama, was apprehended at the scene in possession of the contraband.
A blue Vivo mobile phone was also seized during the operation. The narcotics and other items were attached under the panchanama.
Following Vincent’s interrogation and subsequent technical surveillance, two of his alleged associates—Reshma Wadekar and Manguesh Wadekar both residents of Sada, Mormugao—were arrested in the early hours of April 15 from the Crime Branch office in Ribandar.
The arrests were made after obtaining due permission from the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Vasco.
The investigation is being carried out under the supervision of DySP Crime Branch-1 Rajesh Kumarand SP Crime Rahul Gupta, IPS.
Further inquiries are underway to uncover the full extent of the network and identify other potential links.
