Drug offenders top lookout list in Goa

Drug offenders top lookout list in Goa
Preetu Nair, TNN

PANAJI: There have been 254 “look out circulars” issued between 2000 and 2008 by the Goa police against foreigners wanted for various offences in
the state. Of these, 101 foreigners were involved in offences related to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS).

Information obtained by TOI under the Right to Information Act reveals that a majority of the LOCs were issued against Nepalis (51), followed by 41 against Britishers, 24 against Nigerians, 21 against Israelis and six against Russians. Some Japanese, French, German, Italian and Spanish nationals also figure in the list.

A majority of the LOCs for offences under the NDPS were against Nepali citizens (40), followed by 11 against Israelis, nine against Nigerians, six against Italians and five against Britishers. LOCs were issued against 17 foreigners wanted for several offences under the Foreigner’s Act, especially overstaying, and 16 LOCs for violations of the Madhya Pradesh Music and Noise Pollution Act.

After the Goa Children’s Act came into force in 2003, LOCs were issued against seven foreigners for offences under this Act, which includes sexual abuse. LOCs were also issued against foreigners involved in forgery, kidnapping, trespass, creating nuisance under the influence of alcohol, threatening and even for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Police sources said that LOCs, valid for a year, are issued either to trace absconding criminals or to prevent and monitor the entry or exit of persons who may be wanted by law enforcement authorities. “Most of the time we extend the validity beyond one year, especially if the person is not on bail and there is a case pending in court,” said sources, adding that though a majority of LOCs were issued against Nepalis, it was difficult to keep a check on their entry into and exit from the country as no passport or visa is needed to travel between the two countries.

26 Feb 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition

Goa;Drug traffickers get smart

Drug traffickers get smart
Mafia Constantly Invents New Ways To Evade The Law
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: Goa is not just an epicentre, where drugs are sold at rave and trance parties, but now Goa has become a transit point for drugs, from where it is shipped out to European countries and even neighbouring states.
“Inter-state and inter-country drug trafficking has raised serious concerns for us in Goa and it has serious ramifications. While the police have borders, drug dealers have no borders,” said DGP BS Brar.
The Goa police has finally woken up to the fact that there is an urgent need to check trafficking of narcotic drugs from Goa to other states and out of the country and have requested the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to set-up its unit in the state. Customs officials agree that in keeping with the trend, the drug traffickers are coming up with innovative ideas to escape the law. “Not only are they using minors as 'mules' and carbonised suitcases to export their drugs to Europe”, said a custom official, these drugs -- charas, heroin and cocaine are either taken by air from Mumbai or through chartered flights by European "passengers", whose complete trip and stay in Goa is sponsored by the well-networked drug mafia, the officials informed.
Unsold drugs like coke or cocaine and MDMA have a shelf life of 500 days and once the season is over, the demand in Goa is less. “The remaining drugs are exported out of the country,” said a cop from Anti-Narcotic Cell.
Carbonised compartments fitted in suitcases and bags hamper the detection of drugs, added customs official. “There is not a single officer or sepoy in the narcotics cell of the Customs department. We have just one superintendent, who has additional responsibilty. This is the situation since the last two years,” added Customs official.
Interestingly, according to the custom officials, while European “passengers” take the charter flights, the Isarelis lure young girls or women, who are addicted to drugs, to carry a “consignment” for a friend.
In return, they are promised a free trip. Take the case of an Italian minor girl who was caught at the Dabolim airport in Goa with ecstasy tablets and MDMA drugs on March 14, 2006.She was due to board an Indian Airlines flight to Mumbai enroute to Auckland (New Zealand) via Singapore and the whole trip was sponsored. She was arrested under the NDPS Act and sent to Apna Ghar, Merces.
In 2007, about 70 kgs of narcotic drugs were recovered by the police in North Goa and about 30 drug peddlers were arrested.
Admitting the trend, SP (Anti Narcotic Cell) Omprakash Kurtarkar said, "Wherever there is demand, there is supply. Outsourcing of drugs from Goa to other states or even out
OUTSOURCING DRUGS
TRICK 1: Using carbonised suitcases Method: Suitcases are purchased and 4 locals in Anjuna expertise in putting carbonized compartments in the suitcase. Drugs are stored in a carbonized compartment, then screened for any errors by using a personal Xray machine. Rs 1 to 2 lakh for packing 5 to 10 kg of charas. To pack, 1 to 2 kg of cocaine, the price is Rs 5 to 10 lakh. This was exposed when the minor Italian girl was caught at the Dabolim airport with the drug consignment TRICK 2: Using minor girls or women Method: Drug is stored in condoms and put in the vagina of the girl and trafficked abroad. It is also stored in special carbonated boxes, manufactured in Mumbai and packed into hollow arti-facts. TRICK 3: Pill will Method: Ecstasy pills are mixed with calcium tablets.
June 18, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition