MARGAO: The Curtorim MLA, Mr Reginald Lourenco wants the ongoing investigation case of alleged nexus between the drug mafia and the police be handed over to the CBI or some other reputed investigating agency "in the interest of saving the future generation of Goa."

He also questioned the competence, both in terms of expertise and jurisdiction, of the local police to investigate a crime of "such magnitude with international ramifications," buttressing his argument.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat and the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik, Mr Lourenco says that it is "unfortunate that the credibility of the local police in the eyes of the public is under a cloud of suspicion."

Arguing that under such circumstances allowing one wing of the police to investigate into the alleged misdeeds of another wing would probably not be taken too well by the public as the "public perception would be that local investigation official would shield their erring colleagues and that the whole exercise of inquiry would be to hide more than what would reveal," Mr Lourenco points out that the alleged nexus between the police and drug peddlers needs to be broken in the interest of the people, especially teenagers.

Stating that he had learnt that the government had ordered a police inquiry in the matter after alleged Israeli drug peddler, Yaniv Benaim (alias Atala), in the video footage uploaded on "youtube.com," talked about his links with police officials of the ANC and how he managed to get confiscated drug from the police and sell it again in the market, he says that such an inquiry would help to cleanse the police force of the black sheep.

Arguing that drug peddling is known to have inter-state and international network, any investigation agency under such circumstances would require cooperation and help from their counterparts of other states and countries, he said that such a agency was needed that could investigate the crime at inter-state as well as international level beyond any doubt or suspicion

Mr Lourenco’s letter states that the illegal or harmful use of drugs specially amongst teenagers is a major threat to the world and to future generations, Goa being no exception all parts of local and world communities need to unite the strengths of professional expertise, generational wisdom, and individual commitment to combat the drug problem as they strive together towards a healthier world, with the police force and other law- enforcing agencies having a more responsible role to play in this direction. Society needs to support healthy drug-free attitudes, environment and activities.