Goa police inspector suspended for links with drug peddlers

Police Inspector Ashish Shirodkar, Head Constable Hussain Sheikh and constables Sandip Parab, Sayeesh Pokle and Sanjay Parab were suspended for their alleged links with drug peddlers, Chief Minister Digamber Kamat told reporters here.

The action came following media reports on the alleged police-drug peddler nexus.
In a hurriedly called press conference at his residence this afternoon, Kamat announced the suspensions in the presence of Home Minister Ravi Naik, Director General of Police Bhimsen Bassi and Superintendent of Police (ANC) Veenu Bansal.

Kamat said the link was "exposed" through a video tape and interrogation of drug dealer David Griham.A video tape posted on popular website www.youtube.com had also shown another peddler Atala (full name not known) bragging about his "friendship" with Inspector Shirodkar.

"We relied on the information provided by arrested drug dealer David and the contents of video on the website," the chief minister said.He said the suspended policemen were earlier attached to state's Anti Narcotic Cell, a special branch conceived to weed out the narcotic menace in the coastal state. "Crime Branch will inquire into the links," the chief minister said.

Replying to a question, Kamat said that if necessary the action under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) would be initiated against the accused policemen.
The state police was shocked after a video footage was aired by a local channel showing the "confession" by an Israeli national. The drug-peddler, who was earlier arrested by ANC, was seen claiming that inspector Shirodkar was stealing drugs from the court custody and selling it back to the peddlers.