PORVORIM: While stating that there is no information on existence of “Drug Mafia‟ in the State, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant admitted on the Floor of the House that, Goa being a tourist destination, narcotic drugs could be smuggled in for trade, consumption and transit.
Sawant also said that no cases of deaths due to drug overdose are confirmed as per the records available from the police in the State.
He was replying to a question tabled by and Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA Vijai Sardesai on the drug menace and deaths due to drugs in the State.
He said that there is no such established market for availability of drugs as it is an extremely clandestine activity due stringent provision of NDPS Act.
“There is no information on existence of “Drug Mafia‟ in Goa. However, Goa being a tourist destination, narcotic drugs could be smuggled into Goa for trade, consumption and transit,” he said.
He said that for the current year, till January 15, total eight cases under NDPS Act are registered, while in 2019, total 219 cases were booked.
In 2018, total 222 cases were registered while in 2017 the total cases were 168. Sawant further said that a total of three cases of Unnatural Deaths (UD) have been reported during Sunburn festival held in North District in December 2019.
“Post mortem reports in all three cases have been obtained. However, cause of death is reserved pending for chemical analysis and report,” he said.
Sawant said that presently inquires are in progress of all three cases of unnatural death reported at Sunburn and hence it would be inappropriate to furnish the copies of any reports pertaining to the cases.
