Stating that no Goan is involved in drug trade, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Friday directed the police to crack down on the drug trade network in the state.
Sawant, who holds the home portfolio, also gave a deadline of a day to the police department to furnish him with all details related to narcotics activities in the state.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister said that the state government will not spare anyone, who indulges in drug-related activities in the state. He said that his government will work out a plan to rehabilitate local youth, who are addicted to the banned substances.
“I have asked Superintendent of Police in charge of Anti Narcotic Cell Utkrisht Prasoon to give me a detailed report about the drug trade in the state including names of those who are alleged to have been involved in it. I have specifically told the SP that I want the report by Saturday on my table,” he said.
Sawant said that the state government is serious about a crackdown on the drug trade in the state. The Chief Minister said that his government will work out a comprehensive plan with the help of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to rehabilitate local youth, who are addicted to these substances.
“At present, there is only one rehabilitation centre, which is operating in the state which is not enough. We will ensure that more of such centres are in place with the help of NGOs,” he said adding that some NGOs have already approached him. He said they are ready to work with the government on rehabilitation of drug addicts.
The Chief Minister also said that the drug peddlers, who overstay in the state after expiry of their travel documents would be arrested and kept in the detention centre in Mapusa.
“Earlier, we did not have any detention centre facility in the state. Now we have a fully functional detention centre where they will be kept before deporting them to their respective countries,” he said.