PANAJI
Reiterating Goa’s zero tolerance to drugs, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has claimed that ‘migrant labourers’ and foreigners operate as drug carriers bringing in various types of narcotics into the coastal State.
“Labourers traveling by trains and buses, as well as international tourists carry different types of drugs in Goa. Our government has zero tolerance to drugs and the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) is already making efforts to ensure Goa is rid of this menace. The process to increase staff strength at ANC has begun,” he told reporters after participating in a virtual meeting of Western Region, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Drug Trafficking and National Security on Wednesday.
The meeting “ also attended by CMs and representatives from the other western states and union territories “ discussed the drug menace and ways to mitigate it. Apart from CM, Director General of Police Jaspal Singh, and other officials attended the meeting through video conference at Police Headquarters.
Sawant stated that Goa Police has seized drugs worth Rs 4.5 crore. He also asserted a crackdown on illegal operations of party clubs along the beach belt while also adding that government will not encourage tourism with drugs. “We should work together as Team India,” he added, quoting Shah’s address to the participants.
The Chief Minister went on to add that Goa has deported 650 out of 700 Nigerians illegally living in Goa. “The remaining 50 will be deported soon,” he said. Of the total foreigners deported by the Goa FRRO, Nigerians constitute the highest number.
From 2019 till date, Sawant added that 129 foreigners have been detained and deported to their own countries.
Around 54 Nigerians involved in various offenses including drugs and overstaying are currently lodged in Colvale Central Jail as several have not been able to comply with the stringent bail conditions imposed by the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
Union Home Ministry has taken cognizance of best practices followed by the Goa government such as detention center, and regular deporting of illegally staying foreigners. Shah has asked other states to emulate these practices. The Centre has also acknowledged three arrests made under the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PIT NDPS Act).
