TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: Calangute Police on Wednesday arrested a 25-year-old African national on charges of possessing Ganja worth Rs 5,600 at Calangute.
It may be recalled that the locals chased an African national at Candolim on Tuesday evening leading to seizure of drugs from the bag in possession of the said foreign national. The locals alerted the Calangute Police who then took possession of the bag containing Ganja.
According to Calangute Police, John Chickoo has been arrested for allegedly possessing Ganja (560 grammes), which was recovered from the bag that fell from his possession at Candolim on Tuesday. PSI Nitin Harlankar is investigating the case.
When contacted, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said, “Time and again I have been highlighting the illegal activities of such dubious foreign nationals in our State, especially in the coastal belt of Calangute, but there is no seriousness on the part of the government.”
“The government authorities have not been addressing the issue with the seriousness it deserves. The dubious foreign nationals are staying in Goa for more than 3 months without a valid visa. No vigil is kept on their business activities and source of income while allowing them as students without checking their enrolment in Goan colleges or elsewhere,” stated Lobo.
North Goa Youth Congress President Ashton Santamaria while criticizing the State government over the failure to curb illegal trade in the coastal belt of Calangute said the government needs to pay attention to the drug rackets rather than showing the people of Goa a rosy picture of development.
“The drug lords no longer care for the law or the government and have brought drug trafficking on the streets. The government needs to wake up and start taking action against such illegal trade,” said Santamaria.
