Goa, a focal point for drug peddling

Panaji, June 25: A tourist destination on the world map, Goa - known for its pristine beaches and beautiful coastline - has become a transit point for drug related activities on the coastal belt in north and south Goa.

The Anti Narcotic Cell (ANC) Deputy Superintendent Allen D' Sa told UNI drug related activites in the state thrive in the coastal belt including beaches like Baga, Anjuna, Chapora, Vagator, Candolim, Morjim, Ashwem, Arambol and Keri in north Goa and on the beaches of Utorda, Majorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Cavesossim Mobar and Canacona in south Goa.

Drug related activites consist of local consumption--by Indians and foreigners-and smuggling of drugs from Goa to foreign countries through domestic and international flights leaving the State, especially where Goa is a transit point for drug related activities, he said.

Mr D'Sa said dealers from different parts of India like Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir --turn up at Goa during the tourist season. This is also the time when drug dealers arrive with consignments from countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangkok, Amsterdam, Italy, Russia, Columbia and Israel.

Ganja (marijuana), charas, opium, morphine, heroin are brought by local dealers to Goa whereas foreign dealers bring along with them synthetic/chemical drugs consisting of cocaine, ecstasy, LSD and other cocktails of psychotropic substances.

These foreign dealers push their synthetic/ chemical drugs into the local market especially on the coastal belts while they buy large consignment of drugs locally consisting of charas, opium, heroin, which is in great demand in western countries, Mr D'sa pointed out.

The anti narcotic cell in Goa is however, well equipped to tackle the drug scene there. The ANC has communication systems and identification kits to locate and identify drug dealers using the communication gadgets and trained dog squad. The NAC personnel are also trained in latest techniques of investigating the narcotic cases. The Narcotics Control Bureau closely monitors the functioning of the Anti Narcotic Cell, he added.

During the tourist season in Goa, which starts from October, ANC personnel are deployed on the Airport, Railway station and Border check in order to check the drug dealers entering Goa and also to keep a surveillance on the movement of known criminals indulging in drug activites, Mr D' Sa added Only last year, 22 cases were booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, wherein 26 persons were arrested.

Of these, 16 were Indians, 5 Nigerians, 2 Israelis, 2 Nepalis and 1 Tanzanian. The ANC seized 40.662 kg of charas, 18.216 kg of ganja, 0.705 kg of cocaine, 108 gms of heroin, 49 tablets of ecstasy worth about Rs 80,96,520.

One of the accused, an Indian national, was caught with 18.760 kg of charas worth Rs 18,76,000 was awarded 12 years of RI and a fine of Rs one lakh imposed on him. The second accused, an Israeli, on the other hand, was convicted for a small quantity and deported out of the country.

The conviction rate of the special court dealing in NDPS Act cases is over 85 per cent, he said.

This year till June 18, the ANC has arrested 17 people. Of these, 7 are Indians, 5 Nepalis, 2 Israelis, 1 Nigerian, 1 German, 1 Austraian. And the cell also seized 31.557 kg charas, 0.041 kg cocaine, 0.002 kg heroin, 0.049 kg ecstasy, 0.076 kg MDMA, 18 gm LSD liquid, all worth Rs 38,30,700.

The major seizure, he said, was that of 8.080 kg charas worth Rs 8,08,000 in which two Haryana-based persons were arrested.

He said ANC Cell will be observing June 26 as 'International Anti-Drug day' to create awareness among youth and the public about the ill-effects of drug abuse. It has also decided to organise various events on this day.

UNI