the goan I network
PONDA
Officials from the mines department, revenue court and police in a joint raid on Friday seized around 198 cubic metres of sand from Betqui, Volvoi and Savoi Verem in Priol constituency.
According to sources, the officials found three canoes operating to transport the sand from the river.
They also found 198 cubic metres of sand stacked along the river banks at Volvoi. One truck laden with sand was also attached during this raid. However, it was unclear if the canoes were seized.
Sources informed that 91 cubic metres of sand was seized at Betqui–Khandola, 69 cubic metres of sand at Volvoi and around 38 cubic metres of sand from
Savoi Verem.
The officials are believed to have acted after receiving a complaint in this regard. Sources informed that sand is being illegally extracted from many places in Priol constituency and transported to various parts of Goa.
Though the illegal business was being operated in the open, no action was taken earlier, until officials raided the site on Friday.
Sources informed that one person, who is related to a minister, is managing the illegal sand mining business in Savoi Verem and other places, which is why no raids were conducted in recent times. Officials are further investigating the matter.
