NT Reporter
Panaji
Pointing to the intensified action against drug trafficking, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has informed the state Legislative Assembly that the Goa Police registered 740 drug cases and arrested 899 accused over the last five years.
He added that the conviction rate in drug cases has been rising, with the police achieving an 87.23 per cent conviction rate in 2025.
“Challenges such as the need for enhanced manpower, specialised training and upgraded surveillance infrastructure are periodically assessed, and necessary steps are taken to strengthen these capacities,” Sawant said in a written reply in the Assembly during the ongoing Budget session.
Sawant said a proposal has been moved to establish a special NDPS court.
“Drug enforcement is a continuous process. The government follows a zero-tolerance policy and remains committed to strengthening enforcement, preventive measures and inter-agency coordination to effectively control drug-related crimes across the state,” he said.
Referring to proactive measures, Sawant said state-level NCORD (narco coordination) meetings are regularly held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to review enforcement, intelligence sharing and coordinated action among all stakeholder departments and agencies.
“At the district level, NCORD meetings are conducted every month under the chairmanship of the respective district collectors, ensuring close coordination between the police, excise, health, education and other departments for effective monitoring and implementation,” the Chief Minister said.
In 2021, the police registered 121 cases and arrested 138 persons. In 2022, 154 cases were registered and 190 accused were arrested. In 2023, the police registered 140 cases and arrested 166 accused.
Similarly, in 2024, the police registered 162 cases and arrested 192 accused, while in 2025, 163 cases were registered and 213 accused were
arrested.
According to the police, a well-planned strategy to disrupt drug networks by targeting both the supply chain and demand led to record drug seizures worth over Rs 78.45 crore in 2025.
In 2024, drugs worth Rs 9.81 crore were seized.
Sawant also informed that awareness programmes are conducted for school and college students on the ill-effects of drug abuse, while awareness drives for the general public and at tourist spots are carried out in coordination with the authorities concerned.
He added that the government has established a robust inter-agency coordination mechanism to effectively combat drug trafficking and abuse.
