LUCKNOW: In a joint operation, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Goa Police arrested a Bahraich-based alleged drug trafficker wanted in a narcotics case registered by Goa’s Crime Branch. The accused, identified as Ekhlaq Ahmad alias Manna Malik, was apprehended from Bahraich district on Saturday. According to STF officials, Ekhlaq Ahmad, son of late Abdul Sattar and a resident of Mansurganj near Shishi Wali Masjid under Dargah Sharif police station limits in Bahraich, was wanted in Case No. 50/2026 registered at the North Crime Branch Police Station in Goa under Sections 21(B) read with 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The accused was arrested at around 12:30 pm on May 30, 2026, from the Dargah Sharif area of Bahraich.
Goa Police sought STF assistance
Police said the North Crime Branch of Goa had registered the NDPS case during an investigation into narcotics trafficking. During the probe, the name of Ekhlaq Ahmad alias Manna Malik surfaced as a key suspect. Subsequently, Goa Police sought assistance from the Uttar Pradesh STF to trace and arrest the accused. Acting on the request, an STF team operating under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent of Police Pramesh Kumar Shukla initiated intelligence gathering and surveillance. A joint team comprising STF personnel, including Sub-Inspector Chandra Prakash Mishra, Head Constables Kavindra and Yashwant Kumar Singh, and driver Tridev Mishra, coordinated with Goa Crime Branch officers Inspector Mahesh Ganekar, Sub-Inspector Madhav Naik and other police personnel to conduct the operation in Bahraich. Following sustained intelligence work, the team successfully located and arrested the accused.
Allegedly ran interstate drug trafficking network
During preliminary interrogation, the accused allegedly revealed that he had studied up to Class IV in his village and first came into conflict with the law in 2012 in a case related to assault. Investigators said Ekhlaq later became involved in the illegal narcotics trade around 2018 after coming into contact with a local individual identified as Wasim alias Mitti Tel. During this period, he allegedly established links with a Nepal-based associate named Arjun. Police claimed that the accused subsequently developed an interstate smuggling network and used bus services to transport illegal drugs from Bahraich to Goa. Officials are probing the extent of the alleged network, including its interstate and possible cross-border links.
Long criminal record
According to STF officials, Ekhlaq Ahmad alias Manna Malik has an extensive criminal history and is a listed history-sheeter at Dargah Sharif police station. Police records indicate that he is accused in multiple cases involving murder, robbery, dacoity, theft, attempted murder, Arms Act violations and organised crime. A history sheet bearing number 25-A is reportedly open against him. Police also stated that a case under the Gangsters Act was registered against him in 2014. His criminal record includes:
- A 2012 case involving rioting, assault, criminal intimidation and robbery at Dargah Sharif police station.
- A 2014 murder and robbery case registered under IPC Sections 302, 394 and Arms Act provisions.
- A 2014 Gangsters Act case.
- A 2017 attempted murder case registered in Bahraich.
- A 2018 theft and receiving stolen property case registered at Ashiyana police station in Lucknow.
- A 2018 Arms Act case.
- Multiple cases registered in 2019 involving rioting, attempted murder, robbery, obstruction of public servants and damage to public property.
- The 2026 NDPS case registered by Goa Crime Branch.
Further legal action under way
Following his arrest, the accused was produced before local police authorities in Bahraich. Officials said further legal proceedings, including transit and custodial formalities related to the Goa narcotics case, are being undertaken by the Goa Crime Branch. Investigators are continuing to probe the alleged drug trafficking network and are examining the accused’s links with suppliers and associates operating in Uttar Pradesh, Nepal and Goa.
