Excise Crime Branch zeroes in on Kerala drug peddlers’ network in Goa

Inter-State drug smuggling using courier services unearthed

Noticing the involvement of a Goa-based gang in the supply of psychedelic drugs to peddlers in Kerala, the Crime Branch squad of the Excise Department has decided to carry out an inter-State investigation to bust the rackets. Evidence collected during an investigation into one of the recent drug trafficking cases is expected to support the squad in the probe. Because of tight surveillance in trains and on inter-State public transport, smugglers were mostly using private courier services for the shipping of illegally procured drugs. In one of the recent seizures, the trickery had come to light exposing the involvement of some of the newly launched courier service providers. Though such operators have claimed innocence, their role will be investigated. Drugs were reportedly shipped from Goa along with toys to evade checking. In the preliminary investigation, it was found that the Goa-based gang had Kerala youths as members. The role of a woman in smuggling drugs is also being investigated.