Yaniv Benaim, also known as Atala, an Israeli national, was arrested by the Goa Police’s Anti-Narcotic Cell (ANC) for allegedly possessing narcotic substances worth Rs8.7 lakh. The police operation, which took place in Siolim, led to the confiscation of 50 grams of cocaine and 110 grams of charas from Atala’s rented residence.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Tikam Singh confirmed that Atala had been under the ANC’s radar for several days. “After gathering intelligence, our team raided Atala’s residence and seized the narcotics. It is noteworthy that this is the first time Atala has been caught with drugs,” Singh stated during a press briefing. Atala was remanded to five days of police custody.
The ANC is currently investigating whether Atala has valid documentation to stay in Goa and is looking into his possible involvement in other illegal activities. Atala has been residing in Goa since 2006 and has a history of legal issues. In 2010, he was arrested in a high-profile police-politician-drug mafia nexus case. He was extradited from Peru in 2011 and later, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case. However, in 2015, the CBI dropped all charges related to his involvement in the drug trade.
Atala has been involved in various legal matters over the years, including being filmed in a controversial video in 2008, where he claimed to have paid the ANC chief for drugs seized in raids. In 2019, he was booked by Anjuna Police for assaulting a Russian, though his visa status was not initially verified. Later, in 2020, he was arrested by Uttarakhand Police for overstaying his visa.
Atala’s arrest marks the latest chapter in his troubled history in Goa, where authorities continue to probe his activities in connection with narcotics.
