Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji

Panaji, Apr 16: In a major success in Goa’s ongoing war against drugs, the state’s Crime Branch has seized narcotics allegedly smuggled in from Thailand. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant praised the police force for their swift and effective action in cracking down on the illegal trade.

“Our Crime Branch conducted a crucial raid and seized drugs that had come from Thailand. I congratulate the entire team — including the Anti-Narcotics Cell — for being proactive in keeping Goa safe from the drug menace,” said CM Sawant while speaking to ANI.

The latest operation led to the arrest of a Ghanaian national, Sebastian Duah (35), who was allegedly caught in possession of over 60 MDMA tablets — commonly known as Ecstasy — weighing 26.3 grams. The contraband, worth approximately Rs 15 lac in the international market, was concealed in the dickey of a Yamaha Fascino scooter.

The narcotics raid was carried out late Friday night near a cemetery in Rauta Vaddo, Bardez, Goa. The Crime Branch team, led by PI Vikas Deykar and supported by ASI Sriram Salgaonkar, HC Mangesh Deshpande, and other officers, conducted the operation between 8:58 PM and 11:25 PM. The drugs were found in multiple shapes and colours, believed to be psychotropic MDMA tablets.

The offence has been registered under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), and investigations are ongoing.

In a separate announcement, CM Sawant commemorated Dr BR Ambedkar’s 135th birth anniversary by allocating Rs 10 crores for the construction of Ambedkar Bhawan near Panjim. “A 2,500 square meter plot has been set aside for the project, and the construction is expected to begin within six months and be completed in two years,” the Chief Minister said.