Drug trade moving to hinterland of Goa: police

by RAMNATH N PAI RAIKAR
Posted on 2009-03-27
PANAJI- The Goa police, through its anti-narcotic branch and other divisions, from the year 2006 to 2009 (up to February) has seized drugs on 84 occasions, worth Rs 2.73 crore, mostly along the coastal areas of the state.
The drugs confiscated during these operations included charas, cocaine, Ecstasy tablets, heroin, MDMA, LSD, ganja, opium and brown sugar.
The year 2006 witnessed 29 cases of drug haul worth Rs 74,22,700, while the year 2007 had 23 such cases involving confiscation of contraband worth Rs 80,59,250. Furthermore, the year 2008 witnessed 24 cases of drug capture drugs worth Rs 77,03,100 and this year, up to February 2009, altogether eight such cases had drugs worth Rs 41,84,800 seized.
A senior police officer informed ‘The Navhind Times’ that in the past, most of the drug trade thrived along the coastal belt, as the foreign nationals, who formed a major part of this trade resided along the Goan beaches. However, this scenario is gradually changing and the narcotic trade is moving to the hinterland, he said, adding that the ANC is all geared up to arrest the trade along the coastline as well as in the hinterland.
The persons arrested during last four years, for their involvement in drug trade included Indian nationals, besides the citizens of Israel, Nepal, Nigeria, Germany, Austria, Bahama, Italy, Holland, Costa Rica, Japan, Russia and Britain. Besides Indians, maximum persons to be arrested under the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act hailed from Nepal, followed by Nigerians.
Most of the arrests in connection with the drug trade were made in Calangute, Anjuna and Vagator.
Some of the arrests were also made at Arambol, Candolim, Arpora, Bicholim, Mapusa, Panaji, Vasco, Agonda and Palolem.
The biggest consignment worth Rs 27.08 lakh, which included 1.125 kg of charas, was confiscated on February 2, 2008 from an Indian national at Arpora, followed by 750 gm Heroin, worth Rs 22.50 lakh confiscated from another Indian national, at Calangute on December 4, 2008.