Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday ordered an inquiry into allegations that a narcotics network was being operated from inside the Central Jail at Colvale.Responding to questions on the matter, Sawant said, “I have ordered an inquiry.”The order comes after a crime branch investigation uncovered an alleged drug network run from the jail by a convicted NDPS accused using cellphones, WhatsApp and UPI transactions to coordinate drug procurement and distribution across the country.Police said the accused, lodged in the prison, linked suppliers and dealers through WhatsApp, arranged procurement of narcotic substances from different states, and shared collection points with local operatives. Payments were allegedly made through UPI as well as in cash.Investigators said the network functioned without any physical contact between the jailed accused and members of the pan-India drug trade. Instructions on storing and distributing narcotic substances were allegedly conveyed through WhatsApp messages and phone calls from inside the prison.The crime branch recently took custody of convicted accused Azrudeen Achi alias Asaru in the same NDPS case. During interrogation, he allegedly disclosed details of how the drug distribution network was being operated from within the jail.
