PANAJI
If you were of the impression that Goans were insulated from the shady narco-trade in the State, think again.
Every fifth person nabbed by the police for drug-related offences in Goa over the last two and half years is a Goan, statistics released by the Goa police on the eve of Monday's International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, indicate.
A total of 403 persons were arrested since January 2021 for illegal possession of narcotics and 103 of them were Goans. Just 61 were foreigners, mostly of African nationality. The balance 243 hailed from different Indian States.
Goa police said, the aggregate value of drug seizures made during this period since January 2021 added up to a whopping Rs 10.26 crore in the international market.
A total of approximately 408 kg of drugs of different types varying from ganja to charas, cocaine, LSD, Ecstasy, MDMA, Methamphetamine etc were seized during the raids conducted by the anti-Narcotics cell of the Goa Police.
The low-value and commonly used ganja and charas apart, the seized narcotics also included high value cocaine, LSD, Ecstasy, MDMA and methamphetamine.
Interestingly, the police stations of Anjuna, Calangute and Pernem, whose jurisdictions overlap with high intensity tourist activity in the northern belt, accounted for most cases in each year.
Recently, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Goa had begun a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and promote a drug-free lifestyle among students.
NCB Officers conducted an informative and engaging awareness session, educating students about the harmful effects of drugs and the importance of making responsible choices.
