27 Sep 2010, 0806 hrs IST, AGENCIES
Alleged Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benaim alias Atala, missing after having been
released on bail in the police-drug mafia nexus case, has been sighted in
Israel, an Israeli website has claimed. As per the report on Israeli website
www.ynet.com, Atala was in Rishon, Israel and told the reporter that he managed
to cross Indian boundaries and return home to Rishon-Letzion.
Atala, an important link in the nexus case, was out on the bail since June this
year and has been missing since July. The story headlined "Goa drug king hides
in Rishon-Letzion" claims that Atala, 36, is back in his town "after escaping
from house arrest by Indian authorities". The report says that at the time
Indian authorities were claiming that Atala was missing, the accused was on his
way to Israel.
"Indian authorities reported in the last few weeks that Yaniv Ben Naaim is
missing, but now it seems that the alleged Israeli drug dealer is in his
country
and is hiding in Rishon-Letzion," the report says. Goa police PRO Atmaram
Deshpande, reacting to the development, said he is not in a position to
comment.
Other senior police officers also refused to speak.
Police had issued a red corner notice against Atala a few weeks after he went
missing from Goa. Police had also claimed it would be difficult for him to
cross
Indian borders. Atala who was staying in Goa was filmed by his ex-girlfriend
Lucky Farmhouse while bragging about his links with policemen.
Atala had claimed that some policemen attached to the anti-narcotic's cell were
selling him drugs seized during raids, to push back into the market. He was
arrested in March after the recording was uploaded on a video hosting site.
Seven policemen, including ANC chief PI Ashish Shirodkar, were arrested after
Atala's claims were made public.
