NCB busts international drug cartel in Goa

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) busted an international drug cartel in Goa and arrested two Russians – a 1980 Olympic silver medallist woman swimmer and a former policeman – along with an Indian and seized various drugs including cocaine and charas.

The operation was conducted by the NCB’s Goa unit over the past two weeks, an official said on Saturday.

“Based on a tip-off that a Russian drug cartel was actively operating in Arambol and its adjoining areas in Goa, a probe was launched. As per the intelligence inputs, a Russian woman named S Varganova was found involved in the supply of drugs to foreign nationals. During the investigation, we also received information that led to the identification of a local man named Akash,” the NCB official said.

S Varganova is a 1980 Olympic silver medallist woman swimmer and the other is a former policeman. Drugs along with Indian and foreign currencies, fake documents and IDs were also seized from their possession.

During the entire operation, different kinds of drugs, including 88 LSD blots, 8.8 grams cocaine, 242.5 grams charas, 1.440 kg hydroponic weed, 16.49 grams hash oil, 410 grams hash cake – were seized along with Rs 4.88 lakh cash, he said, adding that the NCB also recovered Indian and foreign currencies, fake documents, IDs and material required to grow hydroponic weed. Along with various forms of drugs, total proceeds in cash recovery valued at Rs 4,88,000, USD 1,829, Thai Baht 1,720 were also recovered.