Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a major breakthrough in its crackdown on drug trafficking, the Goa Crime Branch has traced the backward linkage of a ganja seizure case and arrested the alleged supplier from Rayagada district in Odisha.
The accused, identified as Nakula Naik, 29, a resident of Baharmuskuni, Kucheipadar, Rayagada, was arrested following an investigation involving technical surveillance and coordination with Odisha Police.
The case was registered at the Crime Branch Police Station on September 25, 2026, under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Juvenile Justice Act, following the seizure of 10.754 kg of ganja valued at approximately ₹10.50 lakh.
During the initial operation, police arrested Gokula Jena, 24, a native of Baleshwar, Odisha, and apprehended a 17-year-old Child in Conflict with Law, whose identity has been withheld in accordance with legal provisions.
Instead of limiting the investigation to those allegedly found in possession of the contraband, the Crime Branch pursued the backward linkage to identify the source of supply.
Through sustained investigation and technical surveillance, investigators identified Naik as the alleged supplier of the seized ganja.
A special Crime Branch team headed by PI Vikas Deykar, comprising PC-7576 Subha Gaonkar, PC-8158 Prakash Utkuri and PC-9135 Bhadi Sawardekar, proceeded to Rayagada to trace the accused.
With assistance from personnel of Doraguda Police Station in Odisha, the team successfully located and arrested Naik. He was subsequently brought to the Crime Branch Police Station in Ribandar, Goa, for further investigation.
Police said tracing the alleged source of supply was a significant step towards dismantling the wider drug trafficking network rather than restricting enforcement action to those found in possession of narcotic substances.
The investigation is now focused on establishing the complete supply chain and identifying other persons who may be involved in the interstate trafficking network.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of SP Jivba Dalvi, holding charge of DySP Crime, and SP Crime Gaurav Sikarwar, IPS.
Further investigation is being conducted by PI Vikas Deykar of the Crime Branch Police Station.
Crime Branch Goa reiterated its commitment to taking stringent action against drug trafficking and dismantling interstate narcotics supply networks operating in the state.
