Detention centre to be set up for foreigners involved in drug peddling: Devendra Fadnavis

The deputy CM also said that the government has also decided to appoint Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) as the nodal agency to curb the distribution of the banned drugs.

“We have found that many foreign nationals are involved in the supply of narcotic drugs in the state… they overstay and violate the visa norms. To avoid being caught and deported, they indulge in petty crimes and supply drugs. Hence detention centres will be set up in the state where foreign nationals will be kept until their deportation and to ensure that they do not get involved in any crime before being sent back,” Fadnavis said.

He said that if any accused is found involved in narcotics, a chargesheet needs to be filed against him within 90 days, but in this case it is not possible, so a time of 180 days time has also been demanded to file chargesheet in the Drugs smuggling and peddling cases.

Fadnavis, also the home minister of the state, said that a meeting of Director Generals of Police of all states was held at the central level. In this meeting, it was decided to appoint the Anti-Terrorism Squad as the nodal agency in this matter.

“Anti-narcotics coordination committees have been established at the district level across the state and the Superintendent of Police will participate in these committees and maximum action will be taken,” he said.

Speaking about the drugs being transported through containers at ports, and drugs being supplied through post and couriers, he said, “Government and the police are keeping a close eye and some courier companies have been instructed to send the courier only after checking.

The containers used to supply narcotics through container cargo have now been fitted with new hi tech scanners which will detect the narcotics.”