In recent transformation, the state of Goa has led to making it a destination for Drug consumption to a hub for adulteration and sale of contra-band, making the state highly alarming. Drugs are bought to the state to sell like dinner sets and poti bags. So is Goa shifting towards normalising illegalities? Or are the law makers becoming the next law breakers in Goa? Then where do we see our state in the coming years? Should we assume it is going to sink involving the minors and youth in the sea of Drugs like the titanic? And with all the illegalities and law breaking that is happening, is law in Goa taken for granted? Or is there no supervision by the authorities?
The escalating Drug crisis in Goa have created a havoc in the state. Where most of the individuals dealing are not just adults but minors, school dropouts and others choosing a wrong path. This highlights how this will not only involve them in Drugs but also in other illegalities and crimes. Increasing crime rates and making it difficult for the civilians to live a dignified and just life. While also impacting the entire society and setting an example to the coming generations. So are we a step closer to destruction or restoration is the question?
If we look at the current situation of multiple cases being exposed in relation to Drug arrest, 78 cases have been reported between January 1 and June 15, 2025. Drug trail have become a major cause of concern, while the Authorities may or may not be concerned. But the ANC SP Sunita Sawant and her team has conducted consistent raids exposing the Drug market in Goa. Reports also indicate that many traders are foreign nationals who get married to the locals and obtain overseas citizenship through (OCI cards), thereby securing a foothold in Goa to carry forward their illegalities. And recently a ‘Yoga Guru’ called Yogi baba Kanti Aggarwal who had been running a yoga centre in Goa is arrested in Chhattisgarh for operating a drug racket at an international level under Spiritual cover who trapped youths into the network. Who was also funded by foreign nationals, so are the yoga centres non-taxable? Do we have authorities monitoring such centres, or is freedom of crime given in the hands of specific individuals?
The concerned authorities and the government are still figuring out strategies to combat drug trafficking and its associate dangers. But the major concern is also that, if there are drug kingpins in Goa? Are the authorities aware or are they pretending not to be? If they are, then why are they not being arrested and why is the government not taking necessary measure against them? Or have the government officials and ministers joined hands in exchange for their own benefit? The culprits that are sent to the Colvale jail in Goa which is a corrective centre is witnessing more crimes inside the centre rather than outside. So is the functioning of such correction centres not monitored properly or is there a malfunction in the operations due to power and influence? Is buying a person in today’s world much easier than buying fruits and vegetables? Or is the freedom being misused by the citizens?
Goa has recorded the biggest jump in drug seizure between 2021 and 2022. While an amount of Rs 5.35 crore worth drugs was seized in 2025. The Nodal officer of the Addiction Treatment Facility at North Goa District Hospital, Dr Rajesh Dhume said that it is becoming an epidemic and Cannabis is in fact catching up as the gateway drug. Another cannabis (ganja) plant was discovered growing among ornamental vegetation along the Smart City roads in Panaji and the police who confiscated it stated that “isolated cannabis is not a threat”. Are we sure it is not? Or is the bigger problem hidden behind the small and isolated ones?
Is Goa becoming the next hub for international drug trade? As Goa becomes the focal point for psychotropic drugs, one early sign of warning was in 2023, where 85 persons were arrested for possession of drugs in 6 months. The question goes back to how many drug kingpins and godfathers have been arrested? Importantly the anti-drug police operatives believe that drug supply in the market has failed. While the major concern today is not just the locals but the Indians and accused drug peddlers arrested from 11 different countries of origin. So how are these foreign nationals allowed to reside in our state and run illegal businesses? Is someone among us involved in law breaking by receiving a juicy slice or could it be a person who is law making, permitting such illegalities for the love of lucrece? And how is that most of the illegalities are being done by agents from outside?
(The author is a 2nd Year BA LLB (Hons) student at
Manipal Law School, Bengaluru)
