from Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)

Margao, Mar 9: The anti-narcotic cell of the Goa police arrested A M Arafat, a student from Bhatkal in Uttar Kannada district in Karnataka while carrying sandalwood weighing 2.5 kg, said to be of value of Rs 2,500 at the Canacona railway station. He was sent to police custody in Canacona station and later released on bail.

Canacona station police inspector Raju Raut said the young man was caught while they were on the lookout for drug peddlers. During a random search, Arafat was found to possess the unauthorized pieces of sandalwood and was arrested.

Canacona residents said that three factories have been operating in the area and they suspect that illegal supply of sandalwood could be taking place there.

Raut said the police were unable to obtain details about where the young man was taking the sandalwood pieces.

The police are investigating the matter further.