Team Herald
PANJIM: Stating that the efforts are been made to trace the sources of drug supply, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant indirectly admitted that non cooperation from the accused, arrested in narcotic related cases, hampers investigation as they decline to disclose the source.
In a written submission on the Floor of the House, Sawant said that whenever any person found with illegal possession of drugs, an offence is registered under appropriate sections of law.
“The culprits are thoroughly interrogated and efforts are made to trace the source of drugs/supplier. We have gone on level two and three in many cases. However, during the interrogation, the accused persons do not cooperate or disclose the source,” he said.
The Chief Minister has also denied charges of Hyderabad Police about lack of cooperation from Goa Police in drug cases.
“Whenever police assistance is required by any out State police, the same is provided on priority. Hence, the question of non-cooperation does not arise,” he said.
As per data, in last five years, total 318 cases of illegal possession of drugs have been registered in the State of which 69 cases were registered in 2022. In 2021, mere 42 cases were booked while in 2020, there were 59 narcotic cases.
Further, Sawant also said that four deaths due to suspicion of drug overdoze had come to light. However, post mortem report did not conclusively prove the consumption of drugs, he added.
He also informed that one case of suspected administration of drug has been transferred to CBI for investigation.
