The Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) Goa zone has seized multiple illegal drugs including LSD, cocaine and marijuana, in an operation that lasted two weeks, The Indian Express reports.

Varganova, winner of an Olympic silver representing the Soviet Union, also claimed  gold over the same distance at the 1982 World Championships in Guayaquil in Ecuador, adding a bronze in the medley relay.

In 1979, she set a world record in the 200m breaststroke of 2min 31.09sec.

According to the NCB, 88 blots of LSD, 8.8 grams of cocaine, 242.5g charas, 1.440kg of marijuana, 16.49g of hash oil, 410g of hash cake, 2g of methamphetamine and MDMA were seized.  

Money recovered was in three currencies - INR 4,88,000 (£4,750/$6,000/€5,400), $1,829 (£1,454/€1,643) and THB 1,729 ($50/£40/€45).

The 59-year-old Varganova was peddling drugs to foreigners in Arambol and adjoining areas, it is alleged.

Varganova, who worked as a swimming coach in Leningrad after her sporting career, was intercepted on April 14.

An official revealed that a local named Aakash was also working with the cartel, that allegedly has a Russian leader.

The local was arrested on April 28 with 9 LSD blots, 30g of hashish,1 MDMA tablet and INR 28,000 ($342/£272/€307).

Another Russian national named Andre was also arrested around the Mandrem area with 20 LSD blots.

More drugs and fake documents was recovered from Andre’s house subsequently, where he was growing marijuana, according to the official.

According to the official, Andre was a former policeman and set up the cartel in Goa a long time ago, managing a network of street peddlers.