Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Crime Branch of Goa Police arrested a 44-year-old Nigerian national during an early morning narcotics raid at Cunchelim, Siolim in Bardez on March 25. The accused has been identified as Joseph Ifeanyi Ozoemena.
Acting on specific intelligence that a foreign national would arrive in the area to deliver narcotic substances, the Crime Branch team laid a trap and intercepted the accused. During the operation, the suspect allegedly attempted to flee but was successfully apprehended by the police team.
Officials recovered suspected psychotropic substance identified as amphetamine weighing 17.580 grams from his possession. Police also seized a Yamaha Fascino scooter bearing registration number GA-03-BA-3906 and a mobile phone. The total value of the seized drugs is estimated at approximately ₹2 lakh.
Police said an offence under Section 22(b) of the NDPS Act, 1985 has been registered in connection with the case.
According to police, the accused was previously arrested by the Anti Narcotics Cell of Goa Police in 2017 and remained in jail for seven years. After his release in 2024, he was lodged at the Goa Detention Centre in Mapusa and was subsequently released in December 2025 following a High Court order.
The raid was led by PI Vikas Deykar along with ASI Shriram Salgaonkar and constables Mahabaleshwar Sawant, Rupesh Gaikwad, Sandesh Valvaikar and Kritesh Kinlekar of the Crime Branch Police Station. The operation was supervised by Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi and SP Crime Rahul Gupta (IPS).
Further investigation is underway, police said.
