TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Even as the Anti-Narcotics Cell sleuths are investigating 24 drug-related offences committed during 2013 in addition to other existing cases, forensic test reports of narcotics seized in 20 cases are awaited from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Hyderabad.
Last year witnessed a surge in drug cases registered by the ANC which equaled total cases registered over last eight years.
“The Hyderabad forensic laboratory is yet to furnish the test reports of 20 drug cases but this has not stalled the investigation. We have already received reports in the remaining four cases though,” said a senior officer on condition of anonymity.
The Central government laboratory, which is already over burdened with cases from across the country, takes nine months on average to give the test of seized drug samples and furnish detailed report to the respective agency.
There have been instances in the past wherein ANC cited that delay in filing charge sheets in certain drug cases were due to delay in receiving forensic reports from Hyderabad CFSL. A submission in this regard was also made to the Bombay High Court at Goa during a bail application hearing of an alleged drug peddler David alias Dudu Driham in December 2010, before the case was handed over to CBI the following year.
Apart from this, several criminal cases faced hurdles after the CFSL Hyderabad suddenly stopped accepting samples Now, CFSL has now begun taking samples –criminal, drugs, bribery and disproportionate assets cases – by putting some conditions.
Meanwhile, the Cell has recorded drug seizure amounting to Rs 3.85 crore from 24 cases it cracked and 10 arrests including those of six foreigners, during 2013. Three persons are however absconding. The seizure amounted to Rs 47 lakh from 12 cases during the preceding year.
SP ANC Karthik Kashyap, when contacted told Herald, “We are continuing our efforts to cleanse Goa of the drug menace and this year, our strategy will be intensified to crack down on more such cases.” The squad, which comprises over 22 officials, will be further strengthened this year, he said.
