Goemkarponn Desk
The Goa Police has arrested a Russian national for allegedly smuggling narcotics, and seized contraband worth over Rs 1 crore in the international market.
The accused, whose identity was not revealed as police said that could hamper further investigations, was arrested from North Goa’s Morjim in an early morning raid after the anti-narcotics cell (ANC) received a tip-off.
The seized narcotics included hydroponic weed,“We had been tracking him for the past three months. We would have got him two months ago, but on that day, our honourable PM was here (in Goa), and all of us were deployed for duty. So, at that time, we could not go ahead (with the operation to arrest the accused)…and he exited the country,” anti-narcotic cell SP Bossuet Silva said.
According to police, his arrest came after police received information that he had come to Goa this week to sell narcotics ahead of the ‘peak party season’ in the state. charas and LSD.
“Hydroponic weed, which is grown under lab conditions, and typically sold at a high price ranging from Rs 4,000 to Rs 25,000 per gram, is among the narcotics recovered. Preliminary probe has found that the accused had procured hydroponic weed from a contact in a North Indian state. He also has a flat in Arambol in Goa,” said a police officer.
A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The accused was produced in a court and sent to police custody for seven days, police said.