Drug baron ?wanted? in Goa arrested in Israel

After a five-month long chase, Israeli Interpol finally traced and netted the absconding drug baron Yaniv Benaim alias Atala in the West Asia nation.

Israeli Interpol Sunday faxed Goa Crime Branch, which is investigating agency into the police-politician-drug mafia nexus informing them Atala?s arrest.

?We have received the fax from Israel Interpol. Our efforts are on to expedite the proceedings and bring Atala back to Goa for case investigation,? Crime Branch official said requesting anonymity.

Atala was arrested on March 9, 2010 under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) and Prevention of Corruption Act had jumped bail in June 21, 2010.

His sudden disappearance came to light on Aug 7 by the Crime Branch which had summoned him for some clarification. After initial delay, Goa police on Aug 25 issued a look out notice against him. A red-corner notice was also issued against him.

Few days later, Goa police was taken aback when a popular Israeli news website www.ynet.com claimed that Atala had returned back to his country. Atala is one of the main cogs in the police-politician drug nexus, in which state home minister Ravi Naik’s son Roy has been linked.

The website, quoting friends of Atala, said he was last seen near his home in Rishon Lezion, a town located a few kilometres from capital Tel Aviv.

The report on the website also states that the drug dealer told a friend in his hometown that he entered Israel a few days after jumping bail.

The Israeli staying in Goa was caught on hidden camera by his former girlfriend Lucky Farmhouse while bragging about his links with Goa policemen.

The footage was uploaded in April 2008 Lucky Farmhouse on You Tube and metacafe.com wherein Atala also revealed on how the police officials stole drugs from Mapusa NDPS Court to push them back in the market.

The revelation created flutters in the state resulting in his arrest along with seven policemen including former Anti Narcotics Cell chief Ashish Shirodkar.