Team Herald
MAPUSA: The Congress has raised concerns over the rising drug menace along the coastal belt and slammed the government for the same.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Congress’ North Goa unit President Vijay Bhike said that the drug seizures taking place in Calangute is portraying the costal belt negatively and is also having an adverse impact on tourism.
He questioned the whereabouts of the Rs 3 crore drugs seized by Calangute police recently.
On October 29, the Calangute Police led by PI Nolasco Raposo raided a rented premise at Ximer, Candolim and arrested a Nigerian, Ifeanyi Pascoel Obi alias Alex with drugs worth Rs 3 crore. The accused was earlier convicted in 2011 for overstaying and he was arrested in 2012 for possessing cocaine. The case is pending before the court.
“The MLAs from the coastal belt are responsible for the ongoing drug trade. Two weeks ago drugs worth Rs 3 crore were seized by Calangute police. The chief minister congratulated them for seizing this huge quantity of drugs, but the question is how the drug is coming across the border. MLA Michael Lobo had said that he would reveal the drug peddlers’ names and their whereabouts. I would like to ask when he would disclose the same, as it is two years now. Since now he is a minister he should act on this. Tourism in the State has dropped; drugs and prostitution is on rise; but Lobo has remained a mute spectator though he is the minister for Waste Management Science and Technology and Ports. At the same time there is a need for the police to act strongly on drug menace,” Bhike said.
Porvorim Block Congress President Adv Shankar Phadte highlighted that there are several instances of drug seizures all over the State, but those who are booked are only drug peddlers not drug dealers or suppliers.
“It is now an open secret that the actual amount of drugs seized is not revealed and no one knows where and to whom the drugs are disposed. Police have failed to curtail the African and Russian drug menace which has caused serious tensions in the State? Is the process being recorded so there is evidence that the drugs are really being destroyed,” Phadte questioned.
Calangute PI Nolasco Raposo said that Goa police is committed to zero tolerance towards drugs and their determination to put a check on drugs and drug peddlers will continue.
“The attached drugs become muddemal property till the disposal by the trial court. Samples are forwarded for analysis,” Raposo said.
Another retired police officer pointed out that the drugs seized by police is supposed to be stored, tested and remain in a safe secure evidence vault until trial. According to the latest judgement, it is supposed to be in the custody of the PI. In the last DGP meeting, it was decided to destroy the drugs by taking video recordings.
Calangute Constituency Forum President Premanand Divkar had also demanded action to be taken as the drug issue was bringing bad repute to the village.
“The entire coastal belt from Candolim, Calangute up to Anjuna has become a drug hub for the Nigerians and the other drug mafia operating in the State. Nigerians found overstaying should be deported immediately,” Divkar demanded.
