Goa druglord killed Briton in debt warning

By Fiona James, sundaymirror.co.uk 20/07/2008

Goan Drug Baron (Pic: SM)

A British father-of-two found hanged from a tree in India 19 months ago was killed on the instructions of a Goan druglord - as a warning to others who owed him money.

That is the conclusion of a private investigation into the death of 40-year-old Stephen Bennett, from Cheltenham, Glos, by his sister.

Amanda Bennett says Stephen was "sacrificed" to teach drug runners in India a lesson. And she says knowing what happened has brought "closure and peace" to her family.

Since Stephen's death in 2006, his sister has battled for the truth. Now she is pressing to bring a case against Indian police who she claims covered up her younger brother's murder.

Stephen was found hanging from a mango tree in a jungle. Police first said he had committed suicide, then claimed he had been killed by locals who mistook him for a sex attacker.

Amanda said: "Stephen was staying at the same hotel as the British people who owed £43,000 drug money.

"They told the drug baron that they didn't have the cash but would leave Stephen as an insurance policy - then fled. Stephen was strangled and his body strung up three days later.

"It was clearly a warning to Brits who owed money to pay up or else.

"Stephen only went to Goa because it was £20 less than a Tenerife trip."