No seized drugs destroyed in last 10 years

No seized drugs destroyed in last 10 years
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 27
While a committee known as Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Disposal Committee (NDPSDC) is in place since 2000 for destruction of drugs seized — no drugs were destroyed in the last ten years. However, verification is being conducted to check if any drugs were diverted from police custody, informed Home Minister Ravi Naik on the floor of the House on Saturday.
As per the reply given in the House the committee is headed by deputy Inspector general of Police and it is directly responsible to the director general of police.
The committee has to undertake detail analysis of drugs pending disposal and advise the respective investigating officers or supervisory officers on the steps to be initiated for expeditious disposal.
The order of the under secretary dated July 20, 1988 constituting the committee also says that the committee will meet as frequently as possible as is necessary for quick disposal of drugs and at least, in once in two months.
The question was tabled by Siolim MLA as to quantity of drugs seized and method of destruction and who certifies the drugs before destruction.
The issue is at the centre stage as allegations of police personnel involved with drug dealers and have hand in diverting drugs from police custody have surfaced. Five police personnel have already been arrested and placed under suspension for their alleged connection with drug dealers.
However, it is abundantly clear that committee did not meet as frequently as mandated in the order of the under secretary home as huge quantity of drugs is pending disposal.
The Home Minister also did not reveal as to why destruction of seized has been left pending for last ten years even as Mandrekar and Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar pestered him over the issue.
There are clear standing orders of Central government wherein clear procedure for sampling, storage as well as destruction have been listed. Also, procedure has been laid down for receipt of drugs in godowns and how they should be stored.
It is also required that go-down-in-charge maintain a register wherein entries of receipt should be made as per format given. Moreover, rules laid down also say early disposal of drugs is of uttermost importance and, the enforcement agencies may obtain order for pre-trial disposal of drugs and other articles by having recourse to the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 51 A of the Act.