Goa Police ponder: Are Russians buying land for drug deals?

Tourists from Russia, especially those staying in Goa on long visas, are coming under increasing scrutiny after allegations that East European drug cartels are attempting to turn Goa into a base for their activities.

Tourists from Russia, especially those staying in Goa on long visas, are coming under increasing scrutiny after allegations that East European drug cartels are attempting to turn Goa into a base for their activities.

According to sources, the modus operandi of these groups consists of buying land and property in the state and using them as fronts for their illegal activities. ‘‘We have information that some foreigners are buying land in North Goa and we are investigating the matter,’’ said DIG Ujjwal Mishra. However, sources said the state police haven’t been given any definite proof about the presence of the Russian mafia by Central investigating agencies.

There is talk about the Calangute-Baga-Candolim belt being taken over by benaami Russian owners in the past several months. According to a senior police officer, some instances of foreigners buying land came to the police’s notice in Calangute and Siolim only when the force checked the land records at the sub-registrar’s office. ‘‘We would now like laws to be changed so that it is compulsory for foreigners to take police permission before they apply to buy land,’’ the officer said.

Former Union law minister and Congress leader Ramakant Khalap who is closely following the issue alleged that foreigners from various countries have picked up land and houses in interiors areas like Morjim, Mandrem, Assagao and Poinguinium using front companies. ‘‘Legally little can be done to stop them as companies holding the required permissions from the Reserve Bank of India can own properties,’’ Khalap said.

A question by Goa’s Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik revealed that a total of 197 foreigners were engaged in business in Goa as on December 31, 2004. UK residents—numbering 85—comprised the biggest group, followed by Italians (23) and Germans (21). No Russian was listed.