CBI questions former Goa Minister Pacheco in immigration racket case

PANAJI - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday quizzed former Goa Tourism Minister Micky Pacheco in connection with the illegal immigration racket case.

46-year-old Pacheco arrived at CBI’s office in Bambolim village near Panaji after he was summoned by the investigating agency. The CBI had earlier booked him for allegedly acquiring US visas on forged documents.

The CBI alleged that Pacheco entered into a criminal conspiracy with two persons– Pedro Antonio Joanes and Daniel Raymong Fernandes-along with other unknown people during 2007-2008.

They obtained crew member visas from the US consulate in Mumbai in the names of Joanes and Fernandes, besides other unknown persons on the basis of forged documents and facilitated their travel to the US.

The investigation agency has so far come across two such cases, but they suspect that more people were sent using the same modus operandi.

The agency also fears that documentary evidence against Pacheco and his men could have been destroyed after media reports of his involvement in trafficking and money laundering.

Earlier on July 23, the Goa police arrested Pacheco for his role in a forgery case filed against him by his estranged wife Sara.

Sara had filed four different cases of forgery against Pacheco in January 2009 in which she had accused him of selling her properties by forging her signature. (ANI)