Will eliminate drug trade in Goa in 3 months: CM Pramod Sawant

PANAJI: Days after drug links were uncovered in the case of Haryana BJP functionary and Tiktok star Sonali Phogat’s murder, chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Friday that he will completely eliminate the narcotics trade in Goa within three months.
“Within the next three months, we will see strict action in this matter. I will personally monitor it. We will strengthen the anti-narcotics cell and provide them with all the required force. We will ensure that we do not see more such (Phogat type) cases in Goa,” said the CM.
He said that the anti-narcotics cell will be provided with additional force to crack down on the drugs trade.
Sawant said that he wants to send a strong message to tourists. “The tourists that come to Goa should come to enjoy Goa, they should not come here for drugs. This is a clear message that should go out,” said Sawant.
The CM, who is also home minister, reiterated that as of now, there are no plans to hand over investigations in the Phogat case to the CBI.
“He (Haryana CM) requested for it (case to be handed to CBI). But whatever investigations we have done so far, I have told him I will send him the details in a confidential report. I had said a CBI inquiry can be allowed if they are not satisfied. But now after reviewing the case investigations, I am satisfied with the investigations,” said Sawant.
He said he is confident of Goa police’s ability to take the case to its logical conclusion.
“Our aim is to reach some result, and we are coming close to the result. I have full confidence in my home department and that not a single accused will get away,” said Sawant.
Sawant admitted that youth from rural areas of the state have now entered the drug trade, which, he said, has deeply hurt and saddened him. “I represent a constituency like Sakhali, and when I learnt that some two-three youths from this rural area are involved, I was saddened. Until now, we had only heard of persons who were consumers of drugs being held or some persons from other states being held. I feel hurt that our Goan youth are involved,” he said.
“I think because of the greed for money, they have started entering the trade. Our anti-narcotics cell will act, but because of the social impact it seems to be having, I will be personally monitoring the overall investigations. We will involve other departments also,” said Sawant.
He said that the drug trade in Goa has managed to penetrate rural areas despite action by successive governments.
“From time to time, successive governments have acted against the drug trade. If you see my last term, the highest number of raids against narcotics sales were carried out. Drugs worth more than Rs 3 crore were seized. I hear it being said that small peddlers were caught, while the main accused were untouched. It hurts me,” said Sawant.
Meanwhile, the NDPS court has sent three accused in the Phogat case to seven days judicial custody. The case will be heard next on September 6.