AERIAL VIEW
Soon after the drug haul, a non-sensical statement comes from the Superintendent of Police Mahesh Gaonkar, who said that the migrants are responsible for drugs like charas and ganja. He goes on to say the migrants consume the same drugs and also sell them. Does this statement have any logic? Do the migrants have that kind of money to bring such huge drugs? Being an SP, does Mahesh Gaonkar not know the price of charas and ganja in the open market? Or is he trying to feign ignorance?
In fact, every policeman and every politician knows where the drugs come from and where they are sold. Yes, they may make noise here and there, but once their hafta is settled, we are back to square one.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
On Wednesday, the Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Goa Police seized on the biggest drug haul of the year with Liquid LSD and MDMA worth around ₹66.95 lakhs seized from Goa Wags Bar & Restaurant in Saligao.
Now, this restaurant in Mollem Bhat, Saligao, has been notorious for such nefarious activities for a long time now, and the illicit business is being carried out right under the nose of Saligao police, who refuse to act despite several complaints from the locals.
Soon after the drug haul, a non-sensical statement comes from the Superintendent of Police Mahesh Gaonkar, who said that the migrants are responsible for drugs like charas and ganja. He goes on to say the migrants consume the same drugs and also sell them. Does this statement have any logic? Do the migrants have that kind of money to bring such huge drugs? Being an SP, does Mahesh Gaonkar not know the price of charas and ganja in the open market? Or is he trying to feign ignorance?
In fact, every policeman and every politician knows where the drugs come from and where they are sold. Yes, they may make noise here and there, but once their hafta is settled, we are back to square one.
If just migrants are involved, what about the foreigners involved in drugs? Are they innocent? Who supplies them drugs? Migrants? Why are these foreigners moving freely right under the nose of policemen?
A few years ago, police officials were found involved in drugs. A police officer Sunil Gudlar was terminated from service.
In this particular case, Goa Wags Bar & Restaurant, which is close to Club West End, has been quite notorious for such activities but sadly, very few police officers dare to act or raid on the premises.
Goa Police may have seized major drug hauls in the past few years, but what about the kingpin? Who is the mastermind who runs a business in Goa? Who is the major supplier? The answer has so far eluded the Goa Police, or maybe there is no will to catch the kingpin.
Hundreds of youth, even Goans, are lured to paddling drugs due to quick money, and after arrest, their career is finished. They are called criminals.
Yes, drug raids will demoralize the people involved in drugs, but why there is no will to catch the real culprits.
The foreigners are paddling drugs without fear of police as they know a small hafta here and there monthly will suffice.
We all know politicians require easy money and muscle power for their political aims, which the drug smugglers are more than willing to provide. In return, they seek political patronage, so their nefarious activities go unchecked and without hindrance.
Political patronage provided to drug traffickers meant that the region’s law enforcement agencies would be under pressure from political bosses and turn a blind eye to the activities of drug smugglers; hence, places like Goa Wags in Saligao are never raided.
Mr Gaonkar (SP) has to understand that blaming migrants and passing the buck would not help as drug peddling is a lucrative business; smugglers often have political patronage in running the racket, and police have been found hand in glove in some cases.
The end result is that drug peddling is flourishing day by day instead of being brought under control, while the CM, who is in charge of the Home department, simply says, “Bhivpachi Garaz Na”.