Panaji: With several thousand tourists beginning to arrive to usher in the New Year celebrations in the state, Goa police have deputed special teams to curb the use of narcotics.
Superintendent of Police (North) Nidhin Valsan told reporters in Panaji on Wednesday that the teams would be active across the coastal belt and also at crucial locations like Sunburn EDM festival.
The Sunburn festival is starting at Vagator in North Goa District from Thursday, December 28 onwards and it will continue till December 30.
Valsan said that the special teams comprising of local police, Crime Branch, Anti narcotic cell and Forensic experts have been formed which will patrol the crucial areas.
He said that they will keep a check on drug paddling, consumption of drugs or even if someone has already consumed it and is under influence of narcotics.
He said that suspected persons would be put up rigorous testing by the teams with the use of spectrometers, which will give immediate results after testing samples of the substance seized.
Valsan said that if anyone is found possessing drugs, he would be immediately booked.
The SP said that to check the persons under influence of alcohol, the state police have launched Mobile rapid screening test system. He said that even if someone is found to be under influence of drugs, he would be booked under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
