Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
International

Indian-Origin Vijaygiri Anandgiri Goswami Linked To Pak-Afghan Drug Trade: US Prosecutor Preet Bhara

Darpan News Desk IANS, 01 Feb, 2017 11:55 AM
    An Indian-origin man, who was allegedly a member of an international gang that trafficked drugs from Pakistan-Afghanistan region, was caught in Kenya and brought to the US to face narcotics charges, New York federal prosecutor Preet Bharara has said.
     
    Vijaygiri Anandgiri Goswami and three others "ran a Kenyan drug trafficking organisation with global ambitions," Bharara said on Tuesday. 
     
    "For their alleged distribution of literally tonnes of narcotics - heroin and methamphetamine - around the globe, including to America, they will now face justice in a New York federal court," he added.
     
    The prosecution's account of the 2014 operation to bring down the gang known as "Akasha Organization" sounds like a thriller with undercover operatives who pretended to be South American drug dealers to infiltrate it and used Skype to communicate. 
     
    They code-named heroin "chickens" and touted its quality as "diamond." The operatives, described as "confidential sources" (CSs), were working under the direction of the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
     
    Baktash Akasha Abdalla, Ibrahim Akasha Abdalla, Gulam Hussein and Goswami, who also called himself Vijay and Vicky, were arrested in Mombasa, Kenya, in November, 2014, at the request of the US government and finally brought here on Monday, officials said. 
     
    They were to be produced before a federal magistrate judge later on Tuesday.
     
     
     
     
    The four were charged with narcotics offences based on their plan to export to the US 99 kilogram of heroin and two kilogram of methamphetamine that they brought to Kenya, the prosecution said.
     
    Hussein, described as a resident of Pakistan and a long-time associate of Goswami, headed a transportation network that distributed massive quantities of narcotics throughout the Middle East and Africa.
     
    Hussein has "acknowledged responsibility" for transporting tonnes of heroin by sea, according to the prosecution.
     
    Believing the operatives were South American drug cartel members, the four negotiated with them on behalf of the Akasha Organization to procure hundreds of kilos of heroin from suppliers in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region and to produce hundreds of kilos of methamphetamine to be sent to the US, the prosecution said.
     
    Hussein agreed to transport the heroin to East Africa, for delivery to the undercover operatives, according to the prosecution account.
     
    Goswami, meanwhile, told the operatives that the South American cartel would have to pay for only half the consignment of 98 kilogram of heroin that Ibrahim Akasha delivered to them, prosecutors said.
     
    The four men were arrested before another planned meeting with the operatives.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Police Suspect Richmond, B.C., Man's Death Targeted Homicide

    RICHMOND, B.C. — RCMP say they're investigating the death of a man who was taken to a Richmond, B.C., hospital Friday night.

    Police Suspect Richmond, B.C., Man's Death Targeted Homicide

    Indian-Origin Magician Charged With Fraud In Singapore

    Indian-Origin Magician Charged With Fraud In Singapore
    S. Chandran, 35, owner of Paradize Consultancy, was charged on Friday and faced 58 charges under the Income Tax Act, the Strait Times reported. 

    Indian-Origin Magician Charged With Fraud In Singapore

    Republican Hindu Coalition Backs Donald Trump's Immigration Order

    Republican Hindu Coalition Backs Donald Trump's Immigration Order
    The Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC), a vocal supporter of Donald Trump during his election campaign, announced its backing for the Presidents executive order on immigration.

    Republican Hindu Coalition Backs Donald Trump's Immigration Order

    Trump's 'Buy American', Modi's 'Make In India' Can Together Boost Each Other

    Trump's 'Buy American', Modi's 'Make In India' Can Together Boost Each Other
    A harder line by Trump to stem the huge trade surplus with China and correct Beijing's unequal terms of trade will provide India with an opportunity to fill the void by exporting more manufactured goods, Kumar told IANS.

    Trump's 'Buy American', Modi's 'Make In India' Can Together Boost Each Other

    Indian Man Held In US Over Bomb Threat, Sushma Swaraj Seeks Report

    Indian Man Held In US Over Bomb Threat, Sushma Swaraj Seeks Report
    Amid enhanced security measures and immigration restrictions placed by the Trump administration, a Baroda-based businessman has been taken into custody at an airport in the State of North Dakota.

    Indian Man Held In US Over Bomb Threat, Sushma Swaraj Seeks Report

    Nobel Peace Winner Malala Yousafzai 'Heartbroken' By Donald Trump's Order On Refugees

    "I am heartbroken that America is turning its back on a proud history of welcoming refugees and immigrants," she said.

    Nobel Peace Winner Malala Yousafzai 'Heartbroken' By Donald Trump's Order On Refugees