In January 2025, Goa police made a significant effort in combating the drug trade, arresting 15 individuals in connection with narcotic-related cases. The authorities also seized drugs worth approximately Rs 25 lakh, marking a major achievement in the fight against drug trafficking in the region.
On January 30, Mapusa and Calangute police arrested three individuals and confiscated drugs worth Rs 5.5 lakh. The North Goa district police arrested 10 individuals, seizing narcotics worth over Rs 13 lakh. Furthermore, Goa’s Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) registered four narcotics cases, making four arrests and seizing drugs valued at another Rs 13 lakh.
North Goa’s SP, Akshat Kaushal, confirmed the arrest of four Goans, five non-Goans, and one foreigner in 10 cases. Among the seized drugs were 204g of charas, 9,849g of ganja, and 25g of MDMA.
Kaushal elaborated on the efforts taken, explaining, “Our surveillance operations, both human and technical, have helped identify key suspects involved in the drug trade. We’ve created special teams that are working tirelessly to apprehend these individuals. We are also focusing on raising awareness among the youth to prevent any engagement with drugs.”
The ANC’s efforts led to the arrest of two foreigners and two non-Goans, alongside a haul of drugs including MDMA, cocaine, and charas, worth Rs 13 lakh.
In one case, the Mapusa police arrested 29-year-old Sukha Masaka Majhi and 23-year-old Chandan Chaitanya Sethi for allegedly possessing narcotics. A raid at the Madani parking lot in Parra, Bardez, led to the seizure of 3.5kg of ganja worth Rs 3 lakh. In another incident, Calangute police arrested Akhil Mhalasekar, 24, after finding 25g of MDMA worth Rs 2.5 lakh near a gas station.
SP Kaushal praised the efforts of his team: “The tireless work of our officers is helping to reduce the spread of drugs in the community. We encourage citizens to share any information on illegal activities to help us ensure a safer, healthier environment.”
In addition to the arrests, the ANC detained two foreign nationals on January 12, who were found with narcotics at a nightclub in Arambol, where they were expected to attend a psy trance party.
