Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa Police carried out a statewide enforcement drive, “Operation Prahar,” on Friday night targeting narcotics, crime and other illegal activities across the State. The coordinated operation led to the registration of 10 cases under the NDPS Act and the arrest of 12 persons for possession of narcotic substances.
The crackdown involved District Police, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC), Coastal Police, Traffic Police, Crime Branch and other specialised units, which conducted simultaneous operations at multiple locations across Goa.
Police seized various narcotic and psychotropic substances, including ganja, LSD, cocaine, ecstasy and other prohibited drugs during the operation.
As part of the drive, Railway Police carried out surprise checks at Thivim and Margao railway stations. Eleven trains operating on the Konkan Railway and South Western Railway routes were searched, with suspicious passengers and baggage checked and sniffer dogs deployed for detection.
Police also checked more than 120 interstate buses, particularly those operating on the Maharashtra-Goa and Karnataka-Goa routes. More than 500 passengers were subjected to verification and checking as part of the preventive exercise.
The Coastal Police conducted surprise checks at vulnerable locations over suspected illegal sand-mining activities. Meanwhile, extensive nakabandi and vehicle checks were carried out across the State, with more than 1,000 vehicles checked.
During the vehicle checks, 50 persons were rounded up for drunken driving, while necessary legal action was initiated against them. Police also intensified verification of foreign nationals and rounded up two foreign nationals allegedly found overstaying in Goa without valid visas for action under the applicable law.
Goa Police said Operation Prahar is part of its broader three-year roadmap aimed at achieving a “Drug-Free Goa”, with a focus on stronger enforcement, preventive measures, disruption of drug trafficking networks and sustained community participation.
The police said the operation sends a message of zero tolerance towards drug trafficking and criminal activities, adding that similar coordinated enforcement drives will continue across the State.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of DIGP Range & Crime Ved Prakash Surya, IPS, and under the leadership of IGP Goa K. R. Chaurasia, IPS, and DGP Goa Alok Kumar, IPS, with respective Superintendents of Police overseeing operations in their jurisdictions.
