IANS

Panaji, Jun 23: In a major setback to the probe against the politician-police-drug mafia nexus in Goa, a trial court Tuesday released Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benaim alias Atala on conditional bail citing lack of evidence against him.

Special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act judge Bimba Thali released Atala, saying there was no evidence put forth by the police to justify his presence in judicial custody.

The judge also directed Atala not to venture near the coastal area, which is the scene of narcotics action in the state. He has also been ordered to deposit his passport with the authorities.

Atala, operating in north Goa, was arrested in March this year, after his Swedish ex-girlfriend Lucky Farmhouse uploaded footage where Atala was boasting of his links with senior police officials and politicians. The Swedish model also alleged that a senior politician's son was involved in the drug trade with Atala.

Responding to the development, police said that there is no threat to the Swedish whistle-blower's life.

The crime branch said that the conditional bail was not a setback to them.

"Atala cannot leave the country. That's why there is no threat to Lucky. She has still not contacted us. We are waiting for her response," Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Salgonkar told IANS.

Atala, who was deported for overstaying some years back, found his way back into Goa illegally, where he re-started his narcotics trade.

The police-politician-drug mafia nexus has already resulted in the suspension and arrest of seven policemen, who were linked to the Israeli drug mafia. The police department and Home Minister Ravi Naik have been accused by the opposition and civil society groups of sabotaging the police investigation in the nexus.