Search the Internet            Tips

Goa Police bust inter-state arms racket

The Goa Police Wednesday arrested 16 persons of an inter-state gang allegedly involved in arms deals and recovered 23 arms, besides ammunition, most of which were imported.

The police claimed that it had proved their involvement in settling real estate disputes in the tourist state and added that they were now investigating the links of the arm dealers with gangs outside the state.

Director General of Police Gurcharan Singh did not rule out the development leading to major disclosures.

"It has been confirmed that Goa was being used as a trade centre for buying and selling arms and ammunition," said Karnal Singh, the state DIG.

The police are now planning to interact with their counterparts in other states, based on clues they have received.

He said the arms recovered included four country-made guns, six hi-tech pen pistols and a telescopic gun, besides five revolvers, a rifle and three pistols.

The police got a lead to the racket after arresting Joeboy from Panaji, who is allegedly involved in extortion and settling disputes illegally. Their accomplices, who were arrested later, includes Dr Sanjay Morajkar and an arms repairer Bhalchandra Chari, the police claimed.

As surveillance in Goa has always been lenient, since it is a peaceful state, the police suspect that the state was being used as a transit point by several inter-state gangs.

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report