Goa police reshuffle narcotic cell staff to strengthen anti-drug drive

Panaji: Goa police have revamped the anti-narcotic cell (ANC) intelligence-gathering network by transferring several personnel to induct fresh staff and strengthen action against drug dealers and peddlers. Officers who had completed over four years in the ANC were moved out, affecting around 45% of the unit. In all, 27 personnel were transferred.

A senior police officer said some ANC personnel involved in intelligence gathering had begun to consider themselves non-replaceable within the cell.

“We have realised that some police personnel wanted ANC to function according to them and it was not acceptable. As they were in ANC for many years, they developed sources and they considered themselves non-replaceable,” the officer said.

The officer added that the newly inducted personnel have already begun gathering intelligence and that more anti-narcotic operations will be carried out in the coming months.

In the first four months of 2026, more than five persons were arrested every week in narcotics-related cases in Goa, with drug seizures valued at Rs 3.5 crore.

Between Jan and April, Goa police arrested 90 persons in narcotics cases registered across the state, including 50 non-Goans, 29 Goans and 11 foreign nationals.

North Goa recorded the highest number of cases at 32, followed by South Goa with 19 cases, while the ANC registered nine cases.

Police also arrested foreign nationals from seven countries — Nigeria, the US, Nepal, Israel, France, Guinea and Greece — for illegal possession of narcotic substances.

Goa police have also prepared a list of drug peddlers operating near schools and colleges and decided to intensify action against them. Senior officers are holding regular review meetings to monitor action against drug dealers and peddlers across the state.

“Goa police will develop actionable intelligence and act on such intelligence to enforce the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and related criminal and civil laws, to sever drug supply lines by taking stringent action against drug manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and peddlers,” a senior police officer said.

The task force committee will also coordinate with various central agencies for more effective enforcement against illicit drug trafficking.