Foreigners in Goa under 'unobtrusive surveillance'

The Goa government has put foreigners under "unobtrusive surveillance" along with other suspected drug peddlers to stop proliferation of drugs in the state, chief minister Manohar Parrikar said today.

The Goa government has put foreigners under "unobtrusive surveillance" along with other suspected drug peddlers to stop proliferation of drugs in the state, chief minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday.

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Parrikar told the state assembly that beach shacks and restaurants had also been put on vigil to curb the drug menace.

"In order to curb the menace of drugs in the state, an unobtrusive surveillance over foreigners and suspected traffickers is maintained," Parrikar, who is also the home minister, said.

Parrikar was responding to a question from Calangute legislator Michael Lobo.

"Watch is being maintained at shack/restaurants which are running along the coastal belt, especially at night," Parrikar said, adding that the state anti-narcotics cell had also geared up to tackle the drug activities and book maximum cases under the NDPS (Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances act).

Goa police have booked 20 cases under the NDPS act from April to June 2012.

Over half a million foreign tourists visit Goa annually.