Anjuna based Nana and Rocky gangs move into Russian Morjim and Arambol l Turf war sees North Goa gangs gaining ground l Russian and Israel gangs move to deep South Goa
Team Herald
teamherald@herald-goa.com
Three months ago, one of the many controversial nightclubs along the Morjim, Ashwem stretch decided to build a swimming pool right on the beach front, towards the edge of their property. Since this was close to the sensitive turtle nesting area, a senior forest officer went there for an inspection. While on location the resort owner received a call from an MLA who wanted the phone passed on to the forest officer. The MLA told the officer not to come in the way of business and move away. The officer meekly left. The same weekend, this particular resort, had a massive party where drugs were sold and smoked. And incidentally local sources confirmed that the supplies came from a Calangute based local drug gang.
This is one of the best kept secrets of the seamy drug underworld in Goa. Goan drug gangs- and yes they exist, have gradually taken over the turf, which they had conceded to Nigerians in the Calangute, Baga, Parra area.
Slowly but surely, the domestic controlled drug network have spread their tentacles and moved into the stretch of Morjim, Ashwem and Arambol, where they are actually competing with the gangs from the erstwhile Russian federation who control everything from land, to drugs to prostitution.
Formerly just peddlers, they have now become suppliers, backed by local political power and with connections in the police. Herald has found that local boys, between 20-35 years, have become the foot soldiers and even the Capos operate with impunity while foreigners –Israelis, Russians and Brits – have shifted southwards to Canacona, and the Om beach in Karnataka, where the police presence is less.
Russian Connection to Manali: Underworld sources disclosed that some Russians have also shifted to Manali in Himachal Pradesh as this place not only offers world’s best Malana Cream; monsoon is the best season to cultivate and stock the narcotic. These are then ready for transportation from Manali to Goa using Nepali carriers beginning in August.
The Anjuna-Vagator stretch, Morjim, Ashwem and Arambol have become playground for the local drug kingpins, who are looking at increasing their share in the non-disputed narcotics markets along the shore.
NANA IN ANJUNA: While Sadanand ‘Bhui’ Chimulkar is a common name among the local operators, others are known through their alias names with one of them being Nana. Sources also reveal that he has been living at Anjuna and operating through his close associates. He is said to be involved in a criminal offense and is out on bail. He allegedly dominates the operations between Anjuna and Chapora.
ROCKY MERA NAAM TOO: Another name that emerges is Rocky who has a strong hold in a part of Anjuna.
WHERE’S THE DOPE: Shoes and shirt collars-To hoodwink the police, the local gangs have resorted to techniques that their foreign counterparts would adopt. Sources said that right from thin slabs to powered contents and tablets, drugs are hidden in the shoes, bike dickey and even their shirt collars. Interestingly, traditional way of hiding drugs substance inside doors of cars still continues.
Moreover, Mumbai gangs are also keeping a close watch on the entire operations in the State.
COMBO PACK OFFERED TOO: It’s not just drugs. Investigation by Herald has revealed that local gangs have managed to stamp their supremacy on the prostitution trade as well, right under the nose of the police department. In many places, drugs and prostitution run as a combo pack for tourists venturing on the seashore.
“The foreign nationals are supported by some local goons to run the racket. After a few police crackdowns, foreigners shifted to locations where police presence is negligible. This gave an opportunity for the local gangs to take over the business,” the source said.
These gangs smuggle and sell conventional drugs such as charas, heroin and ganja while the foreigners don over the synthetic ones.
Sources also disclose that most of these local drug lords either own restaurants and bakeries. During the off-tourist season, they are completely into the legal business.
THE NIGERIANS ARE STILL HOME IN PARRA: Parra and nearby Saligao are two places still dominated by the Nigerians, who remain there. They mostly deal with cocaine, which is smartly hidden either in their bikes or its capsules in their rectum.
