Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said as international tourists and laborers bring drugs to the coastal state, the state government is using best practices to crack down on the drug racket. After participating in a virtual meeting with Amit Shah, Sawant said that the Union Home Minister has taken cognizance of Goa’s detention center and deportation process and urged other states participating in the meeting to implement similar practices.
Sawant said the Anti-Narcotic Cell (ANC) is working in the best way to control drug trafficking. Migrant laborers bring drugs (like ganja, charas etc.) in buses and trains. International tourists also bring drugs to Goa. The government is taking necessary steps to curb this. Union Home Minister guided us during the meeting to control drug smuggling. Best practices were discussed and views of all the states were taken.
Sawant said last year 161 cases (related to narcotics) were registered and narcotics worth more than Rs 4.5 crore were seized. “We will not tolerate drugs in the state. We want a drug-free Goa. The ANC is spreading awareness against drugs. Since 2019 we have deported 129 foreign nationals. Earlier 700 Nigerians were living illegally, now there are only 50 left. We have deported 650 of them.”
