The shady deals of the narcotic gangs were once again exposed as a Latvian tourist, Liga Skromane (left), was found murdered in a remote location that is regarded as a haven for drug peddlers and users. File photoThiruvananthapuram: The authorities are unable to rein in the drugs mafia, even as contrabands are liberally available in popular tourist hubs in Thiruvananthapuram district. The shady deals of the narcotic gangs were once again exposed as a Latvian tourist was found murdered in a remote location that is regarded as a haven for drug peddlers and users.
The excise department, which is supposed to crack down on drugs trade, is groping in the dark. Apart from a shortage of personnel, the department is crippled by an ineffective intelligence wing. Since intelligence reports are not regular, many a times excise officials have to return empty handed.
The role of excise department has come under the lens after the death of Latvian national Liga Skromane at Thiruvallam, near Kovalam, revealed the role of the drugs cartel in the murder.
In the past six months, only three cases were filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) in Kovalam, a major tourist destination in Kerala. From this, only one involved ganja, while the other two were for selling illicit liquor. About 110 grams of ganja was caught in the case.
In Varkala, another tourist destination in Thiruvananthapuram district, 18 NDPS cases were registered -- all of them in connection with ganja sales and possession.
Official sources say that it is the non-cooperation of the intelligence department that has stymied the efforts of the excise department in reining in the drugs mafia that target foreign tourists.
Earlier, drugs like heroin, brown sugar and cocaine were smuggled into the state capital from Goa. A Goan drug peddler was arrested from Kovalam last year. Now, officials say that drugs are increasingly coming from Chennai. Andhra is the main source of ganja, which is routed through Chennai to Thiruvananthapuram.
Thiruvananthapuram taluk has two excise ranges -- Kazhakoottam and Thiruvananthapuram. In both these ranges, the department has only less than 20 officials. Vacancies are yet to be filled. From the existing strength, some officials are deployed at check posts and for other duties. This has forced the department to register petty cases to meet their target.
Local residents point out that drugs usage is on the rise on the Kovalam beach. Ganja, hashish and brown sugar are easily available. Drugs trade is facilitated by unregistered tourist guides, massage centres and locals with criminal background. Since it is a tourist spot, the excise department's hands are tied. Since raids and other actions could affect the business, they mostly turn a blind eye to the flourishing drugs trade. There were instances of drug peddlers coming together to fend off excise and police teams.
In the 1990s, following a surge in drug trade, the excise department and cops had carried out a major crack down on narcotics trade at Kovalam. When raids continued, shop owners moved courts and obtained orders favouring them. The department was told that raids would be conducted only under the leadership of an assistant excise commissioner rank officer.
Again, in 2012, the excise department zeroed in on Kovalam, armed with accurate intelligence reports. It could file 12 cases despite a move by the locals to attack the officials by disconnecting electricity supply. The drugs trade started thriving again in Kovalam when top officials backed out of raids and intelligence department became ineffective.
