It is no more a hidden fact that Goa is a hub for the drug peddlers, and most of the time it is being shielded by the authorities to safeguard the interest of few influential people. There are many case deaths in Goa due to the overconsumption of the drugs but, none of it being taken to task to date. One of the recent reports published by the national daily has claimed that there is a stiff rise in the drug-related cases in the state during the last year but, in this entire thing, Goa’s well known Beach destination Calangute has shown a significant decline in the drug menace…
The 400% increase in the drug cases is really a is a matter of concern for the state of Goa which is looking forward to being a drug-free state. According to the reports there has been significant increase in the drug-related cases in the state during the year 2017 compared to 2016, and the most shocking thing here is, many of the cases have been booked during the last five months time. “after chief minister Manohar Parrikar ordered a crackdown on the drug trade, which saw police book 161 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) and arrests 172 drugs peddlers and dealers.” claims the report published by TOI.
The ANC (Anti Narcotic Cell) superintendent of police Mr. Umesh Gaonkar had told the media that the total drugs confiscated during the raids are worth Rs 2.84 crore. “The rise in drugs cases is because, after the instruction of the chief minister, police stations across the state have started cracking down on drug cases,” he said. The above statement of SP Gaonkar clearly suggests that there was a drug boom in the state but it came into the light only after the CM intervene into the matter and asked the police to take an action?
The report has also brought one more fact into the light that out of the total 172 arrests made by the police, in the drug-related cases, there were 60 Goans have been found guilty, while the rest are 79 non-Goan and 26 foreigners, and 80% of them are Nigerians.
The drugs which had been recovered from them include ganja, methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), cocaine, charas, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) liquid, LSD paper, heroin, amphetamine, ketamine, Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Goankar said that synthetic drugs are imported by foreigners and mostly used during parties. “Synthetic drugs are sold in Goa during the peak tourist season when foreigners are in the state,” Gaonkar said. He also said that after analyzing the data ANC found that 30 foreigners who were arrested in drugs cases arrived in Goa through the international airport at Dabolim. “We had a meeting with the airport director along with other authorities to put some machines in place to arrest those foreigners who come to the state with drugs,” Gaonkar said.
Meanwhile, according to one of the reports published in the local daily it has been asserted that there has been a significant decline in the drug menace in Calangute area during the last year. This area comes under the jurisdiction of Calangute police station headed by PI Jivba Dalvi. In one of the recent interview given to the local English daily PI Jivba has claimed that there had been a significant decline in the drugs menace in Calangute area during the last year. According to the reports, the Calangute police have booked 31 cases related to drug trafficking and seized the Narcotics worth Rs. 30 Lakh.
It may be recalled that in the month of August 2017, following the death of two youth who were suspected to have overdosed, chief minister, Manohar Parrikar had directed Goa police to conduct a special drive to crack down on the drug trade in the state. Parrikar had also directed that rave parties in the state be put to an end.
Who is responsible for the drug menace, Police, Administration or People? Please leave your valuable suggestions on this serious issue. Please Follow us on the Facebook to get regular news updates.
SOURCE: TOI
