Local women involved in drug trade: police

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-01-15
PANAJI- The police inspector of anti-narcotics cell of the Goa police, Mr Ashish Shirodkar on Wednesday revealed that local women are involved in drug trade in coastal areas of the state.Speaking to The Navhind Times, Mr Shirodkar stated that these women carry on business either by hiding the drugs in their shacks or burying them outside their houses. But people are not willing to come forward and lodge a police complaint.
He said the police cannot initiate any action as people are scared to provide any kind of information relating to the drug business fearing backlash.
He said, “Our men are on the job for 24 hours. Despite this our raids are not successful for most of the time there is no cooperation from locals. Besides, the dealers have become very shrewd.”
Moreover the arrested accused are so tightlipped that they never reveal anything other than their own identity.
Observing that it was difficult for the ANC to get information, he said that even if the ANC gets information its personnel cannot move and raid the premises unless there is cooperation from informants. Mr Shirodkar said identity of the person who tips off the police is kept secret.
He said besides the ANC, the customs and excise department, the directorate of revenue intelligence, the directorate of food and drugs are also empowered to book drug cases.
Mr Shirodkar informed that last year, the ANC booked 24 cases, seized drugs worth Rs 76,93,350 and arrested 30 persons out of which 17 were Indians and 13 were foreigners.
In 2007, the ANC booked 23 cases seized drugs worth Rs 80,59,250 and had arrested 30 persons out of which 17 were Indians and 13 were foreigners.