Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who also happens to be the Minister for Waste Management, Ports and RDA, has said that while the Calangute Police have done a commendable job, the commitment to act against the business seems to be lacking in the police stations of Siolim and Pernem.

“Police have to be on their toes and the politicians have to give them a free hand to act against the menace,” Lobo said.

He stated that out of the Rs 5 crore worth drug seizures throughout Goa, Rs 4 crore is only from Calangute police station.

“This shows the level of commitment and it is because I have brought an officer who can act and I need to do cleanse my constituency of such drug-related business,” he stated.

However, the minister too feels that those arrested Nigerians are just small time peddlers and that the kingpin is somewhere else.

“There has to be some stockist who holds big-time stock of all these synthetic drugs. I am sure it is not in my constituency as I have my own intelligence and if I come to know who it is, I will ask the police to act immediately,” he said.

He also asked the local MLAs as well as the general public in other areas to be vigilant.

“Just talking is not enough, the politicians and people need to work to eradicate this business,” he said.

 Asked why after so many years of investigation, the police haven’t been able to nab the kingpins, he replied, sating, “The people have to contribute and also I see some policemen just do not want to act when you talk of Nigerians or drugs.”