Two Russians held for growing marijuana at Siolim

NT NETWORK

PANAJI

The crime branch  on Saturday arrested two Russians  for allegedly growing marijuana in rented premises at Siolim, Bardez taluka.

Acting on a tip-off, the crime branch laid a trap and raided two separate accommodations, seizing  30 kg of marijuana (also known as ganja), which is  worth around Rs 10 lakh.

Crime branch SP Karthik Kashyap said  the accused, who  have been identified as Maxim Moskichev and Artem Seregin, were growing marijuana in a controlled environment in the rented accommodations at Siolim.

Both the accused are known to each other, but  were separately carrying out the illegal trade in the two rented accommodations – the first man  carried out the nefarious activities on the first floor of the building, while   the second Russian  did the same  on the ground floor.

The Russians had created conducive atmosphere in the rooms, which  was  suitable for growing marijuana.

The crime branch teams headed by PI Rajesh Kumar and PI Raul Parab raided the premises under the supervision of Kashyap.

Meanwhile, the anti-narcotic cell of the Goa police on Saturday arrested a  19-year-old boy and seized ganja worth Rs 1.10 lakh after  conducting a raid  at  a house at Marcel.

The accused has been identified as Latif Suleman Talvi from Chimbel, the police said  adding that the raid was conducted by the ANC team led by PSI Sachin Narvekar.

The accused was found possessing 1.1 kg ganja worth Rs 1.10 lakh.