Anjuna Police on Thursday arrested a 19-year-old youth in a narcotics raid conducted near the Rocky Garage locality of Anjuna in Bardez. The accused has been identified as Bapi Mandal, originally hailing from Dakshin Dinajpur in West Bengal and presently residing in Anjuna.
According to police sources, the raid was carried out following reliable intelligence regarding suspected drug possession and peddling activity in the area. During the operation, officers apprehended Mandal and recovered a significant quantity of contraband. He was found to be in possession of 3.001 kilograms of ganja, which police estimate to be worth around INR 3 lakh in the illicit market.
In addition to the narcotics, police also seized ₹1.58 lakh in cash from Mandal, which investigators believe to be proceeds earned from drug sales. The recovery is considered a substantial seizure in Anjuna, an area that has remained under police watch due to rising drug-related incidents, particularly in the run-up to the tourist season.
The accused has been taken into custody and booked under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act). Police are further probing possible links between Mandal and larger drug networks operating in North Goa.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to intensify anti-narcotics drives in coastal villages like Anjuna, Vagator, and Calangute, which are often hotspots for drug activity. Investigations are underway to track his suppliers and identify potential accomplices involved in the trade.