01 Nov 2019  |   06:04am IST

BJP accused of sheltering ‘big fish’ involved in drug trade

Team Herald


PANJIM: The BJP-led State government came under severe criticism for sheltering drug peddlers, as Congress on Thursday alleged the involvement of saffron party leaders into the narcotic business. 

The allegation comes two days after Goa police arrested a Nigerian national with drugs worth Rs three crore in Candolim. 

Addressing media persons, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar questioned the government’s failure to identify "big fish" involved in the drug business, despite there being many raids and arrests recently.  

“BJP sheltering those involved in drugs. This is a family business of BJP party. This illicit trade is happening with government protection only because several BJP leaders are involved in this trade," he alleged. 

"Why is that government not able to find the big supplier till now? Despite the fact that every alternate day, drug raids are taking place with police nabbing some or the other trader," Chodankar questioned.  

Chodankar has demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should ask his cabinet colleague and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo to provide the names of all those involved in drugs, since he claimed to have the information. "Lobo had said that he has names of those involved in drugs and also those sheltering their business. Now since he is Minister, he should expose it," he said. 

Congress President recalled the case wherein a 100kg of Ketamine was found in the industrial plot owned by BJP secretary Vasudev Parab by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in June. "What has happened to the case? Has any action against the culprit been taken or was DRI pressurised to hush up the case," he questioned.  

The Congress leader raised concerns that narcotics are no longer restricted to the coastal belt only. He alleged that it has reached the hinterland and educational institutions. "Small children including girls are getting addicted to drugs. The government needs to act seriously," he said. 

On Tuesday, Calangute Police arrested 34-year-old Nigerian national Ifeanyi Pascoel Obi alias Alex, from Candolim beach belt in North Goa with nearly four kg of various drug substances. He has been arrested under section 21(c), 22(c), 20(b) (ii) (B) and 20(b)(A) of the NDPS Act. 

IDhar UDHAR

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