Panaji: A day after wanted drug dealer Yaniv
Benaim alias Atala was reportedly sighted at his home town in
Israel, Goa Police Monday said he might have crossed the border
via Nepal or Bangladesh.
"He cannot cross India border through airports or main
route as look out notice against him was issued," they said.
Police said Atala might have managed to cross the border
through Nepal or Bangladesh as red corner notice issued
against him was still in force.
Atala, an important link in policemen drug peddler nexus
case, was missing since July this year after he was out on
bail.
The news portal based in Israel had claimed that Atala is
back in his home town Rishon-Letzion, few kilometres away from
Tel Aviv.
Goa police spokesman Atmaram Deshpande said they will
seek help of Israeli government to locate Atala and get him
back in the state as he is important witness in the case.
"First we need to check whether he is really back in his
home town. We will be seeking Israeli government`s help for
it," Deshpande said adding that Interpol`s help will also be
sought to track him down.
Atala was arrested in March after media exposed the video
footage showing him bragging about his links with policemen,
who he claimed, used to supply him drugs seized by them.
The video was shot by Atala`s estranged girlfriend Lucky
Farmhouse and uploaded on a video sharing website.
Seven policemen were arrested forcing the state to launch
massive investigation in the storage of seized narcotics in
the state.
Crime branch, which was investigating the case, was
caught on the wrong foot after Atala, who was out on the bail
June, managed to flee from the state.
Crime Branch officials including Superintendent of Police
Mangaldas Desai has failed to give proper justification in
dereliction of duty.
State chief minister Digamber Kamat has refused to blame
police for disappearance of Atala.
PTI
