PANAJI
With drug traffickers increasingly exploiting courier, postal and delivery networks to move narcotics discreetly across the country, Goa Police have launched a new initiative to rope in courier companies, postal operators and delivery partners as frontline allies in the fight against drug trafficking.
The initiative forms part of a three-year action plan under the Centre’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’, aimed at dismantling organised drug supply chains and preventing Goa from being used as a transit hub for narcotics.
The State police recently held an awareness and interaction programme in Panaji with more than 80 representatives of courier and postal agencies to sensitise them about suspicious consignments especially to smuggle cannabis and hashish, in small courier parcels and through the postal services network.
"The purpose of the awareness meeting was to sensitise the courier and postal service operators and to look for “suspicious consignments”, especially the ones with pseudonymous bookings, incomplete sender or receiver details, unusual packaging, and high-value parcels with inconsistent declarations," official said.
The move comes amid growing concerns that drug syndicates are increasingly using logistics networks to transport contraband concealed in ordinary parcels. Investigations by the Anti-Narcotics Cell in recent years have revealed instances where narcotics such as LSD and other synthetic drugs were hidden inside books, photo frames and other everyday items before being sent through courier services.
A senior police official said that it has identified systematic use of courier and postal channels by inter-state and international drug trafficking networks operating through Goa.
The Enforcement Directorate, in a recent money laundering investigation linked to narcotics trafficking, found evidence of organised syndicates using courier services alongside digital payment systems and cryptocurrencies to move drugs and launder proceeds of crime.
"Involving courier firms and delivery personnel can help create an early warning system, as these workers are often the first to handle suspicious parcels. The plan includes regular awareness sessions, information sharing and sensitisation programmes for logistics operators," the official said.
