Goa Police Upgrade Arsenal with High-Tech Drug Detection Devices
In a significant move to strengthen the war against narcotics, Goa police are set to procure advanced handheld narcotic analyzers that will revolutionize drug detection operations across the state. These sophisticated devices will enable officers to conduct immediate oral fluid tests for various illegal substances directly in the field.
Advanced Technology for Instant Drug Detection
The newly acquired equipment represents a major technological leap for law enforcement agencies in Goa. The handheld analyzers can detect multiple dangerous substances including opiates, amphetamine, cocaine metabolite, methamphetamine, and cannabis through qualitative analysis of oral fluids. This immediate testing capability will be particularly valuable during narcotic raids conducted by the anti-narcotics cell (ANC).
ANC Superintendent of Police Sunita Sawant emphasized the device's capabilities, noting that the analyzer can not only detect drugs on the spot but also identify hidden narcotics that might otherwise escape detection. The instrument features a substantial storage capacity, capable of retaining data from at least 10,000 samples, ensuring comprehensive record-keeping for legal proceedings.
To maintain the integrity of evidence, sample processing and reading will be performed subsequently within the instrument, providing authentic test results and tamper-proof sample protection. The device includes sophisticated features to detect and reject used or expired test cartridges, preventing potential compromise of evidence.
Recent Drug Busts Highlight Growing Concern
The timing of this technological upgrade coincides with several significant drug seizures that underscore the evolving narcotics landscape in Goa. In a recent operation, police arrested 42-year-old Nigerian national Chinedu Amos, also known as Victor Igwe, from Mapusa. The suspect was allegedly found with a transparent polythene bag containing white-colored powder suspected to be 10 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of Rs 1 lakh.
Goa police have also intercepted two distinct categories of narcotics that have gained popularity among affluent consumers: DMT (dimethyltryptamine) and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate). These substances, categorized respectively as spiritual and date rape drugs, have become increasingly prevalent among wealthy clientele frequenting nightclubs and participating in rave events.
In another significant development, authorities have launched an investigation after discovering QR codes pasted on electricity poles around Panaji that redirect scanners to dark web marketplaces offering MDMA, cocaine, mephedrone, amphetamine, and other narcotics.
Continued Enforcement Efforts Yield Results
The anti-narcotics campaign has produced multiple successful operations recently. The crime branch of Goa police arrested 38-year-old Nigerian national Eziashi Ikechukwu Callistus, who was residing at Marna, Siolim. Crime branch SP Rahul Gupta confirmed the seizure of psychotropic drugs including 4.5 grams of methamphetamine, 2.3 grams of MDMA, and 35.6 grams of cocaine, collectively worth Rs 8.5 lakh.
In a separate operation, ANC arrested a 20-year-old Mumbai resident at Mapusa for allegedly possessing high-grade hydroponic weed valued at Rs 15 lakh. These consecutive busts demonstrate the police's intensified efforts to curb drug trafficking in the state.
The seizure of GHB and DMT marks the first time these particular drugs have been confiscated in Goa. GHB, commonly referred to as the date rape drug, and DMT, believed to be used in mysterious ceremonies in the state's hinterlands to achieve spiritual highs, represent new challenges for law enforcement.
The introduction of handheld narcotic analyzers comes as Goa police face increasingly sophisticated drug trafficking operations. This technological enhancement is expected to significantly boost the efficiency and accuracy of drug detection, providing officers with reliable tools to combat the growing narcotics menace in the coastal state.
