TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) has decided to strengthen its manpower and network of informants to curb the rising drug-related offences, particularly along the coastal belt ahead of the tourist season beginning from October.
The ANC officials met at the police headquarters Thursday to chart out a strategy to tackle the menace.
“A lot of things have been planned including increasing the staff strength and strengthening informants’ network,” Superintendent of Police (ANC) Karthik Kashyap told reporters.
The SP said that the ANC will revive its community relationship as the latter often plays a crucial role in giving information on the drug scene in their respective localities.
With regards to manpower, the ANC is contemplating asking for an additional 25 to 28 personnel and officers in addition to the existing 19.
Responding to a question Kashyap said attempts are made to increase the personnel of the cell and the vehicles to increase vigilance on the coast. The cell currently works with one deputy superintendent of police who holds an additional charge of the crime branch, police inspector and sub inspector while the remaining personnel are constables.
Meanwhile, the drug disposal committee headed by DIG Dr O P Mishra has been meeting to decide on disposing of the seized narcotics to ensure these are not misused.
“Disposing of the seized drugs is on the top agenda. The committee has been meeting regularly,” said a senior officer.
The ANC came under severe criticism when more than a dozen of its officers including a PI were arrested in the police-drug mafia nexus in 2010. Some of them were accused of stealing drugs from the ANC godown and selling them to two Israelis – David Driham alias Dudu and Yaniv Benaim alias Atala who were considered as the biggest catch. All are presently out on conditional bail.
The CBI, which investigated the cases have charge sheeted one case, while the files in the remaining two cases are sent for legal scrutiny.
A month ago, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo in a confidential communication to Director General of Police Kishan Kumar submitted information about the drug lords who use peddlers to push narcotics.
The North Goa district police eventually raided four identified places but only one alleged peddler Tyronne Nazareth was arrested with only 12g of charas worth 1,200.
