Goa: Model claims she was invited for pool party at Morjim, told variety of drugs will be available

PANAJI: In a shocking incident, which happened about two weeks ago, a Mumbai-based popular bikini and lingerie model Ishika Borah revealed that she was invited for a weekend pool party during a recently-concluded festival at a secluded location at Morjim at North Goa and was openly told by the organizer that a variety of drugs would be available at the venue.

Borah is a popular bikini model and does attend pool parties on a professional basis across India, as a pin-up model or display model. When she enquired further about the party, she was told all kinds of drugs would be available and that doobies or charas-laced cigarettes would be provided free to all the guests. She was told she could be provided an unlimited supply of doobies or any other product, including MD, cocaine or heroin.

Speaking exclusively to this reporter, Ishika said she has attended several pool parties in Goa in the last few years (before lockdown), but does not do drugs and does not accept invitations to events where banned substances are made available.

“When I came to know the intention of the organizers – they were openly advertising the event as a rave party where drugs would be served/available, I promptly turned down the offer,” Ishika explained, adding that the organizers were an event company from Delhi and while she was an invitee or paid model, guests had to pay Rs 25,000/- per head, which was all inclusive, including the charas-laced cigarettes and other party drugs – though in a limited quantity.

At such parties, guests are provided a very small quantity of drugs, like doobies, free of cost (like a welcome drink) and have to pay hefty premiums if they decide to buy more, Ishika explained.

“I am a professional bikini model, but that does not mean I do drugs or promote drug-related events. The Morjim organizers were not ready to pay my fees as a promoter/model and were offering me drugs as a barter deal. I have had several such similar experiences in Goa before over the last 6 to 7 years. Earlier in 2019, at a party at Calangute in North Goa, when I saw people doing drugs, I immediately picked up my bag and walked out,” she stated.

The question here is: how do these drug parties take place in Goa, with organizers advertising or selling them openly and the cops unable to get wind of the same?