Porvorim (GNH): Majority of the accused arrested by Goa police during last five years under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act were in the age group of 18-35.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the House in a written reply on Tuesday that there is no increase in drug cases in the state due to pro-active measures taken by Goa Police to control the drug menace.
“Goa Police conducts surveillance and collect intelligence about narcotic drugs activities and the person violating the provisions of NDPS a\Act are booked,” he said.
The data that is tabled on the floor of the House by Sawant indicate that majority of the accused arrested under NDPS Act are between the age of 18 to 35.
During the current year, till June 15, 2024, 58 accused in the age group of 18-35 were arrested under NDPS act, 16 were between 36-60 years of age and two were above 60.
In the year 2023, 123 accused were arrested under NDPS Act were between the age of 18-35, while 40 were between 36-40 and two were above 60.
Total 147 accused in the age group of 18-35 were arrested in the year 2022 under NDPS act, followed by 40 in 36-40 years of age and two were above 60.
The data mentions that in the year 2019, 219 cases under NDPS were booked which were reduced to 148 in the year 2020, 121 in the year 2021, 154 in 2022 and 140 in 2023.
