Daijiworld Media Network - Korgao
Korgao, Dec 13: The tranquillity of Korgao village in Pernem taluk has been shattered as a surge in drug-related cases exposes the alarming spread of narcotics into internal, non-touristic areas such as Pethechawada, triggering fear and concern among local residents.
In a major operation, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), with assistance from Pernem police, arrested a Belarusian national, Ina Volkova, from a rented room at Pethechawada on Thursday. Police said the raid was conducted based on specific information that a foreign national was involved in drug smuggling activities. During the operation, officers seized 1.321 kg of DMT drug valued at around Rs 1 crore.
This latest bust adds to a disturbing pattern of drug seizures reported in and around Pethechawada, underlining how the drug trade is moving away from coastal and commercial hubs into quiet village interiors.
Local concerns have been mounting due to several earlier cases, some of which involved drugs allegedly meant for students. In June 2025, Pernem police arrested Shivanand Gawade (28) of Parcem near the Tuem garbage treatment plant, close to Tuem ITI, and seized 732 grams of marijuana worth about Rs 70,000. Police confirmed at the time that the drugs were intended for sale to students.
In September 2025, Deepak Kumar (38) was arrested after ganja and charas worth Rs 80,000 were found concealed in his scooter in Korgao. A follow-up raid at the same location led to the arrest of Nigerian national Joseph Osuagwu Kelechi (40), who was found hiding drugs worth Rs 1 lakh in his scooter.
Earlier, in February 2024, police arrested Shubham Sharma (27) and Gopinath Harmalkar (25) in Korgao while they were transporting 2.5 kg of ganja, valued at approximately Rs 2.5 lakh, on a scooter for delivery.
“This recent development has sparked deep concern among locals, especially parents, who fear that drugs will impact students here, just like in the coastal belt,” a worried parent said.
Residents said the repeated arrests of both foreign nationals and locals, along with significant drug seizures inside the village, clearly indicate that the drug menace has taken root in Korgao and could soon pose a serious threat to the younger generation if not curbed firmly.