Panaji, Feb 28 (IANS): The police in Goa on Friday requested the North Goa district administration to seal a popular hostel in the Arambol beach village, after they found guests smoking charas and ganja openly at the premises.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, a Goa Police spokesperson said the Amigos Argentina hostel, which is popular with domestic and foreign backpackers, did not adhere to regulatory norms, such as maintaining 'C' form registration of guests, during a joint raid of the premises by the district police, anti-narcotics cell and the Special Branch.

"The Deputy Collector's office has also been roped in and told to seal the premises. The raid, meanwhile, is in progress and the police are in the process of arresting the owner and two others found with small quantities of drugs," the spokesperson said.

Over the last few years, hostels in beach villages which often offer cheap accommodation have been popular choices with low budget domestic and foreign backpackers visiting Goa.