The Narcotics Control Bureau in Goa, India said it has busted a drug syndicate allegedly run by a Nigerian identified as Stanley and his wife, Usha C.
Assets worth Rs 1.06 crore linked to the couple have also been frozen as part of the operation.
According to Press Trust of India on Thursday, Amit Ghawate, the Additional Director of NCB Goa, revealed these developments in a statement released on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
According to Ghawate, Stanley was apprehended on Wednesday following a thorough investigation.
He stated that, acting on reliable information, the NCB Goa team confiscated 7.35 grams of cocaine from Raju S, a resident of Saligao, on February 13, 2024.
Ghawate said, “During initial investigation in the case, it was learnt that the accused was merely a peddler working for a bigger drug network being operated by Stanley, a Nigerian national and his wife, Usha C, both residing in Candolim.
“It was further learnt that the kingpin, Stanley, had associated some local people to whom he used to provide drugs in bulk for delivery to his various customers.
“On February 16, 2024, the NCB Goa arrested another field peddler identified as Michael, a taxi driver from Candolim.
“Following the leads, NCB raided the house of the kingpin, Stanley, but he was already arrested by the Telangana Police in the NDPS case there.
“Subsequent investigations revealed that Usha C, alongside her husband, was actively engaged in drug trafficking and managing the proceeds generated by this drug network.
“Accordingly, Usha C was placed under arrest on February 21, 2024, and proceedings for identification of illegally acquired properties by them were initiated in order to weaken the whole drug network,” he added.
He disclosed that illegally obtained properties totaling one crore rupees and belonging to Usha C and Stanley, have been identified and frozen by the NCB.
“On Wednesday, Stanley was arrested by NCB, Goa and further investigation is in progress,” Ghawate added.(Punch)
