FAO:* Dr. Pramod Sawant (Chief Minister of Goa)*
Dear Sir, Your recent efforts to tackle drug use in the state of Goa are appreciated .... if you are indeed serious about doing so. Having lived in Goa for about 18 years, I have a very good understanding of how the "system" works there. In my opinion, instead of trying to tackle the problem in a "top-down" approach, which involves the difficult task of trying to locate the king-pins, you need to address this issue in a "bottom-up" manner. *I know for an absolute FACT that drugs in Goa are often distributed in and around beach areas by the Lamani community. Good examples of such activities can be found in the Anjuna / Vagator areas and the Morjim to Arambol stretch. Anyone in Goa looking for drugs know that these two areas in particular are prime drugs locations. In fact, it has been said in the past that Anjuna is one of the main drugs hubs of the whole of India, not just of Goa* Furthermore, I know for another FACT the Lamanis are in cahoots with the local police, to whom they have to pay a daily subscription to the local "collector". So right there is your "nexus" that everyone has been speculating about. In addition, the Lamanis often rent properties from local Goans who are themselves involved in the supply chain. The Goan dealers use the Lamanis as "pushers", for exactly the reason that they themselves have no need to get involved in the dirty-work. Also, in the unlikely event that a Lamani "pusher" is caught with drugs by the cops, the Goan "wholesaler" does not come into the picture at all. *The excuse given by the Lamanis that they are in Goa to sell clothes to tourists is BULLSHIT! They do not make any money selling clothes .... they make most of their money selling drugs! My simple suggestion is that the menace of Lamani "beach sellers" is once and for all eradicated. If you do this, you will soon see a decline in the supply of drugs.* So, with all that in mind, let's see just how serious you are about tackling this problem. *Send all the Lamani's back home .... and watch many of Goa's problems simply disappear!* Best of luck. David N. Cleaver (UK) *(P.S. If you are indeed serious about tackling the drugs menace in your Goa, then why do you not push for the use of drugs sniffer dogs in your state? Drugs dogs do not tell lies .... and they do not take bribes!!) *
