Pernem police have arrested 38-year-old Dattaraj Pednekar for renting his private bike to a Nigerian national, Ugochukwu Solomon Ubabuko (43), who allegedly used it to smuggle drugs in Goa. The Nigerian was apprehended on October 14 near Old Ferry Point, Mahakhajan, Dhargal, Pernem, carrying ganja and ecstasy worth Rs 40,000.
Superintendent of Police (North) Rahul Gupta said the drugs were hidden in the two-wheeler, which was also seized. Pednekar rented the bike without verifying Solomon’s identity or maintaining any records. Solomon, a known drug peddler with nine prior cases, was arrested under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, while Pednekar was booked under Section 25 of the same Act for allowing his vehicle to be used in illegal activity.
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Gupta warned all vehicle owners against renting vehicles to suspected drug peddlers, cautioning that failure to comply could lead to criminal action.
