TGANB busts Goa-to-Hyderabad drug network, seizes narcotics worth ₹1.64 crore and ₹49.65 lakh cash

The Hindu

6 hours ago

The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) has dismantled a major drug trafficking and money laundering network operating out of Goa and Hyderabad. The operation led to the seizure of narcotics valued at ₹1.64 crore, the arrest of four Nigerian nationals in Goa, and the recovery of ₹49.65 lakh hawala cash that was about to be sent abroad.
The racket was busted when the TGANB officials were tracking routine drug consignments being sent from the Parra area of Goa to Hyderabad, said the director of the Bureau, Sandeep Shandilya. 'A key breakthrough came from a constable who flagged Livio, an accused in an NDPS case, for suspicious behaviour. Livio, who had previously been caught with 100g of cocaine, was found carrying commercial quantities of cocaine and MDMA even during court visits. He was arrested with ₹2 lakh in drug proceeds,' said the officer.
Investigations revealed a supply list of 40 consumers across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Kerala. The drugs were sourced through four Nigerian nationals operating from Goa.
'In early 2024, DJ Swadeep, also known as DJ Swed, was arrested in Hyderabad. He worked at Sanctuary Pub, Film Nagar, and was found with cocaine. He was allegedly responsible for supplying drugs to several affluent and educated youth. Several drug suppliers connected to him were traced to Goa, particularly the Parra, Calangute, Siolim, and Anjuna areas,' explained the officer.
Another supplier, DJ Vansh Thakkar from Thane, Maharashtra, operating under the name Beyondvoid, was also involved. He performed in Goa, Thane and Bengaluru and allegedly sourced drugs from Nigerian nationals. He used three Instagram accounts to operate his network. His delivery agent, Balakrishna, was arrested in Hyderabad.
Determined to crack the Parra network, TGANB sent task force teams to recce the area. 'Four teams were formed and the final recce was conducted with the cooperation of the Goa Police. Four Nigerian accused were arrested in the raid, and drugs worth ₹1.64 crore were seized,' added the officer. Following this, the Bureau tracked drug money laundering operations. Two teams were sent to Goa for a three-day surveillance operation at Sangeetha Mobile Shop in Mapusa and Highland Park Apartments.
They observed cash collections being made by agents and watched as the kingpin arrived on June 1 to collect the proceeds for remittance to Nigeria. On June 4, knowing two days' worth of money had been gathered, the teams raided the flat and seized about ₹50 lakh hidden in a washing machine. Foreign nationals were seen handing over the cash.
'If delayed by even an hour, the money would have reached Nigeria, en route for international drug cartels. Further investigation revealed that the kingpin used WhatsApp to send photos of ₹5, ₹10, and ₹20 notes. Couriers presented the matching notes to claim cash. A total of 150 bank transactions to Nigerian accounts were uncovered, involving his boss, brother-in-law, and wife, amounting to over 10 crore Nigerian naira in one year, all marked as commission,' said Mr. Shandilya.
In the last leg of the probe, TGANB has concrete proof of at least 50 Nigerian nationals operating out of Goa. From 26 May to 3 June 2025 alone, 58 out-payments totalling ₹2.1 crore were tracked, with one transaction reaching up to ₹30 lakh.
The hawala operation was run by Uttam Singh, Raju Singh, and Mahender Prajapathy alias Bobi. Together, they moved roughly ₹50 lakh in just two days. The seized amount was ₹49,65,000. A team is being sent to Delhi for further investigation.