Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 4: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday ordered an inquiry into allegations of a narcotics network being operated from inside the Central Jail at Colvale.

Responding to queries on the matter, Sawant said, "I have ordered an inquiry."

The decision follows a Crime Branch investigation that allegedly uncovered a drug network being run from the jail by a convicted accused in a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Police claimed the accused used mobile phones, WhatsApp and UPI transactions to coordinate the procurement and distribution of narcotic substances across different parts of the country.

Investigators said the jailed accused allegedly maintained contact with suppliers and dealers through WhatsApp, arranged procurement of drugs from various states and shared collection points with local operatives. Payments were allegedly made through digital transactions as well as cash.

The Crime Branch said the network operated without direct physical contact between the imprisoned accused and members involved in the wider drug trade. Instructions related to storing and distributing narcotics were allegedly communicated through phone calls and WhatsApp messages from inside the prison.

The investigation intensified after the Crime Branch recently secured custody of convicted accused Azrudeen Achi alias Asaru in the same NDPS case. During questioning, he allegedly revealed details about the functioning of the drug distribution network from within the jail.

Authorities are now examining the alleged security lapses and the manner in which communication devices and financial transactions were used to operate the network.