PANAJI
Superintendent of Anti-Narcotic Cell Umesh Gaonkar has expressed suspicion that several Nigerian nationals involved in the drug trade in Goa have either married locals or other Indian women in the hope of extending their stay in the country.
Speaking to the media, SP Gaonkar said, “Some Nigerian nationals involved in the drug trade in Goa have either married locals or other Indian women. We believe that their aim is to extend their stay in India. If you marry a local, you automatically get a visa for longer stay. But unless each and every case is examined, we can’t say this is the final reason.” He disclosed that over the last five years, Goa Police have arrested a total of 115 foreigners for their involvement in the drug trade. Out of these, 66 are Nigerians, 11 Nepalis, seven Russians, six Israelis and one each from France, Britain, Italy, Germany, Kazakhstan, South Africa, South Korea and Costa Rica.
Between August 2017 and February 2018, 164 drug cases were booked in which 182 arrests were made including 28 foreigners and 154 Indians.
“Indian drug traffickers visit Goa during peak tourist season with large quantities of charas, ganja and heroin. The drugs are usually procured from Kullu Manali, Nepal, Orissa, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra. On the other hand, foreign drug traffickers come from Israel, Iran, Nigeria, UK, Russia, France with cocaine, DMT, MDMA, LSD,” SP Gaonkar informed.
He also disclosed that owing to a crackdown on late-night music parties in the State, large consignments of hard drugs have not been seized in recent years.
