Panaji, Jul 18 (TOI): Family tensions, depression, unemployment and frustration are some of the reasons pushing Goans towards drugs. This came to light during the interrogation of 50 Goan customers whose phone number was found in possession of two Nigerians, who were arrested last week for possessions for narcotic substances. Investigations also revealed that the Nigerians get their drugs from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Goan drug addicts are usually within the age group of 19 to 45 years.

Last week, the Porvorim police had arrested two Nigerian nationals allegedly in possession of 2kg of weed. The two were caught red-handed while delivering the narcotics to their prospective customer at Pilerne.

Police are in the possession of a long list of callers retrieved from the phones of the two accused. Investigations have revealed that a majority of the people purchasing drugs from them, around 60%, are locals.

Nigerian nationals, Emmanuel Nkeoga Chide alias Andy, 38, and Lionze Nwato Ambrose, 32, were arrested for alleged possession of 2kg of ganja worth Rs2 lakh.

For the first time, Porvorim police summoned the accused's Goan customers to the police station to learn why they consume drugs and to counsel them. Porvorim PI Jivba Dalvi told TOI that Nkeoga Chidi alias Andy who was arrested in the raid has been staying in Goa for quite some time and has a long list of Goan clientele. He also said that it has been revealed that a large number of comsumers in the state fall in the middle class bracket. He added that most Goan drug abusers do so due to tension, unemployment, as a mode of relaxation, or some family rifts. 

Over the last three years, Goa police registered 175 cases of illegal possession of drugs and arrested foreign nationals as well as Indians. In 2013, 50 cases were booked. This figure went up to 54 in 2014 and further increased to 61 in 2015. In 2016, till May, Goa police registered around 16cases.