By Sanjay Paul
Breaking previous records the Goa police have seized drugs valued at Rs. 5.28 crore in the first six months of this year. These drugs have been almost the same amount that was seized in the entire previous year.
In 2023 the Goa police had seized drugs worth Rs 5.42 crore.
Explaining the rise in the drug haul cases a senior police official said “The increase in seizures is due to the heightened drive against the drug menace, apart from the tourist belt the focus now also on the villages”. From January to June 2024 this year the Goa police arrested 77 persons accused in 71 cases registered under the National Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985.
Of the 77 accused 70 were from within the country while seven were foreign nationals. Residents of Goa too have been arrested in these drug cases. As per records, the percentage of locals arrested in drug cases stands at 30% every year.
This year so far the police have seized around 153 kgs of different types of drugs worth about 5.28 crore out of which narcotics worth around Rs.3.82 crores were seized by the anti-narcotics cell (ANC) of the Goa police.
The balance quantity of seizures were from both the districts, the crime branch and the Konkan Railway Police.
Meanwhile the Goa police held the 10th edition of the anti -narcotics run on Sunday ahead of the International Day against Drug Abuse and illicit drug trafficking that will be observed on June 26 The police said that it was a significant event in the ongoing observance of the anti-narcotics week.
A race too has been organised to earmark the anti-drug week the initial idea being was to send a message to the citizens and the youth to stay away from drugs. The participants were urged to pursue a runner high and not the high they get from drug use said ANC SP Akshat Kaushal.