PANAJI
The much-awaited inter-state coordination meeting of police officers from Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh will be held in Panaji on Thursday. The meeting is scheduled at a time when the State reported a rise in crime rate with drug-related incidents grabbing national headlines.
Police sources said that the meeting will not only focus on strengthening ties between the states to clamp down on crimes, measures to curb the drug menace will also be chalked out besides sharing of intelligence on narcotics activities.
“We are approaching the tourist season and there’s a huge possibility of an influx of drugs along with those visitors, who are actively a part of the drug cartel. We will ensure a coordinated effort to come down heavily on the nuisance in Goa as well as other states,” an officer with Goa Police said.
A team of Hyderabad police, who are in Goa to probe an inter-state drug cartel run by the Goan gang, will also be a part of the crucial meeting. The coastal State recently witnessed a series of crackdowns on drugs and nearly a dozen arrests this month.
The coordination meeting will also discuss land and coastal security, exchange of information and best practices among others.
