Calangute (Goa): The investigation into illegal cultivation of cannabis at a residential premise has attracted offence under The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 against three persons, two of whom are behind the bars while the third accused has moved the court for anticipatory bail.
In a first of a kind major narcotic raid, Calangute police had this week seized illegally cultivated cannabis plant at Candolim village.
The cultivation was clandestinely carried out, away from public view in an enclosed area within the premise. Two persons Susanta Sahoo, aged 26 years and Pravash Salam, aged 20 years who were gardening the cannabis plant were arrested. While Lanny Fialho, owner of the property escaped arrest and soon moved the local court seeking anticipatory bail. The seized plants weighed 10 kg and is valued at approximately Rs 10 lakh.
In continuation of the investigation, Police Inspector Jivba Dalvi said that they approached the Goa State Biodiversity Board with a report on the seizure.
“Since the complainant authority had to be the member of the central government or any other authority prescribed by the state government, police approached Pradip Sarmokadam , Member secretary of Goa State Biodiversity Board and submitted a report of the offence. Accordingly, the Board informed the police regarding the sections applicable from The Biological Diversity Act, 2002. On receipt of the report regarding a violation of The Biological Diversity Rules of 2004, Section 7 read with Section 55(2) of the Biological Diversity Act has been adduced into the crime,” he told the media.
The Calangute Police have already obtained three days police custody of the two accused persons while accused Lanny Fialho’s anticipatory bail application will be heard in the Sessions Court, Mapusa on December 11 when the police will submit its reply.
In another drug seizure by Crime Branch last night, an Israeli national Ben Shoshan Yosef (57 years of age) was caught red handed with 80 gms of charas. The seized substance is valued at Rs 15,000 approximately while cash of Rs 2,000 and micro weighing scale, rolling paper and pouch were also seized.
The alleged drug trafficker was earlier booked in the fake Passport case.
Team TNV
