Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Oct 15: Three persons allegedly linked to an interstate drug smuggling network have been apprehended in Goa during a coordinated operation by the EAGLE Force, Hyderabad and Cyberabad police, with assistance from local police.
Investigators believe the network supplied drugs to more than 1,050 consumers in Telangana and others in Andhra Pradesh. Officials said the figures were provisional and subject to verification.
The accused have been identified as Priteesh Narayan Borkar alias Babu alias Khali, Basharath Ahmed Dhagga alias Bilal alias Jahan Dhagga alias Mansur Ahmed, and Tharun.
An EAGLE Force official told The New Indian Express that the operation involved technical intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated field action to trace absconding suspects and investigate drug supply networks operating in Telangana.
Borkar was apprehended in Goa on October 12. Investigators said he operated from Anjuna and maintained a network of customers and sub-peddlers allegedly supplying drugs to Telangana and neighbouring states. He was subsequently brought to Telangana through the prescribed transit procedure for further questioning.
Borkar was previously booked in a narcotics case registered by Osmania University police in 2022, in which ecstasy pills, LSD blots and MDMA were seized. He is also named in cases registered at Ramgopalpet and Lalaguda police stations and is reportedly absconding in cases registered at Miyapur and Allapur. Investigators are examining his links with other suppliers and the movement of drugs from Goa to Telangana.
In a separate operation in North Goa, police apprehended Dhagga and seized 13 LSD blots, eight ecstasy pills and around 100 grams of charas, collectively valued at more than Rs 1.5 lakh. A case was registered at the Central Crime Station in North Goa.
According to EAGLE Force officials, Borkar and Dhagga allegedly procured contraband from Nigerian nationals and other suppliers for distribution to consumers. Tharun, however, is being treated as a consumer and was referred to a de-addiction centre, an official said.
The investigation is continuing, with officials examining the roles of suppliers, intermediaries and consumers, as well as the communication channels allegedly used to coordinate drug transactions.