TEAM HERALD 

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: No drugs seized by Goa Police over the past 10 years have been destroyed. From cocaine to cannabis, it’s all still there. Or so it is hoped. 

Following a Supreme Court directive, Goa Police have had to start taking steps to prevent damage and loss of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, both natural and synthetic, and their pilferage into the open market. In a report prepared by the police department after a recent meeting called in pursuance of the apex court order, it has had to list the various steps taken to ensure that seized contraband does not reach the open market and that it is adequately secured till destroyed. The Supreme Court had, in the Union  of India versus Mohanlal and Others case, issued directions to state governments  to  furnish  necessary  information  about all  aspects  of  seizure of narcotics. 

In its, report the state home department  states: “No destruction of drugs was carried out for the last ten years.” The report also provides data on drugs seized in  Goa and what initiatives would be taken so that the seized contraband does not leak on to the street. The  report spelt out procedures followed in disposal or destruction of drugs, and lapses on the part of Anti-Narcotic Cell. 

Goa   Police, rather the ANC, came under the scanner in 2009 when it came to light that seized contraband had not been destroyed for years and had even been diverted back on the street. A police officer had failed to apply for destruction of the seized contraband in time and he was later suspended for his alleged nexus with drug dealers.

Also, narcotics  collected from  various courts from  December  21,  2000  till February 2, 2009 which were deposited for safe  custody  and destruction in the godown of the ANC was  seized  under  panchanama by  DySP,  CID crime branch,   in  2010,   in a case   registered  against  police  officers for an alleged  nexus  with drug dealers. Unsurprisingly, no drugs have been sent to the ANC godown  by courts  after  February 2009. A drugs disposal committee is to carry the  drugs to be destroyed to the site  of destruction under police escort and the contraband  is  destroyed  in an incinerator   available at  Goa  Medical College, Bambolim, the report states.