from Ares
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Apr 14: The state police have intensified their search for a Russian woman who they suspect to be the brain behind the international sex racket busted in the tourist state last week.

The racket came to light when Crime Branch sleuths rounded up four Uzbekistani girls but the alleged mastermind has eluded them so far.

"We are still on look out for the lady. Our search is on," Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Salgaoncar stated.

Crime Branch had arrested the Uzbekistani girls by sending a decoy as customer to Calangute coastal belt, from where the sex racket was being run.

Salgaoncar said the Russian was operating from Porvorim, a suburban locality next to Panaji.

When the racket was unearthed, the police had claimed they would be arresting the kingpin "within a few hours".

However, the police got even her name wrong which confused the entire investigation, police sources said.

Her arrest is crucial as more girls may be involved in the racket, they added.