Goa CM Pramod Sawant declares “war on drugs”, says will break backbone of illicit trade

PANAJI: According to a PTI report, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Wednesday said the Goa police have arrested three main suppliers of drugs, which he opined will severely affect the illegal trade and supply of the contraband in the coastal state.

According to Sawant, the arrested trio form the backbone of the drug trade in the tourist state and their internment will break the drug trade backbone in Goa.

Without naming the three dealers, Sawant told reporters in Panaji that one of them was arrested on Tuesday and the two others on Wednesday by the Goa Police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell which booked them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

“Goa Police have launched a massive crackdown on the drug trade. My government wants to give a strict message to tourists that our state is not for drugs and its trade and consumption will not be entertained or tolerated,” the CM told reporters after chairing a high-level meeting with Goa Police officials.

The Goa police action comes against the backdrop of the mysterious death of Haryana BJP leader and former Bigg Boss contestant and actor Sonali Phogat after she was allegedly administered drugs at a restaurant in North Goa by her two male companions while partying on the intervening night of August 22 and 23.

Sawant said nightclubs and other spots where late-night parties happen are also under the radar of the police and the cops are keeping a close watch.

“Restaurant and nightclub owners will be arrested if drugs are consumed on their premises and the responsibility of ensuring a drug-free environment within private premises lies on the owners of business establishments,” Sawant said.

Referring to Curlies restaurant at Anjuna where Phogat was allegedly administered drugs, Sawant said the restaurant premises were sealed by authorities.

Police have so far arrested five people in connection with the death of Phogat including two of her associates – Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Singh – who had accompanied her on the Goa trip, besides two suspected drug peddlers and the owner of the Curlies restaurant.

Queried on the rise in crimes particularly murders in the coastal state, Sawant said the crime rate remained low since 2019 while the detection rate was high.

“During the last two years, many people migrated outside Goa due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have started returning to the coastal state as economic activity has gathered steam,” he said.

Sawant also said that many people from outside Goa are involved in crimes in the state.

The CM said in 95 per cent of rape cases, the accused persons are known to the victims or minors.

“Women police constables are assigned the task of meeting the adolescent population and educating them about how to protect themselves from crimes,” he added. (PTI)