Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has said the GHRDC security guard allegedly found carrying suspected narcotic substances into Colvale Central Jail will be suspended and terminated, as the incident puts the prison’s security arrangements under scrutiny.

The incident reportedly occurred at the jail’s frisking point on Tuesday morning, when security personnel were conducting routine checks. The woman, identified as Asha Chodankar, is a security guard attached to the Goa Human Resources Development Corporation (GHRDC).

According to information available, IRB personnel allegedly found a steel bottle in Chodankar’s possession. A search of the bottle reportedly led to the recovery of around 236 grams of a substance suspected to be ganja and approximately two grams of suspected charas.

Following the recovery, Chodankar was detained by prison authorities. A subsequent search of her locker allegedly resulted in the seizure of three ATM cards, three mobile phones and other articles.

The jail authorities later informed Colvale Police and handed over Chodankar along with the seized material to the police for further action.

Police subsequently conducted a panchanama and registered a case under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Prison Act.

The suspected narcotic substances have been seized for further examination. Police are investigating how the material allegedly entered the high-security prison and whether any other persons were involved.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said strict vigilance was being maintained at Colvale Central Jail and assured stringent action against the personnel involved.

“The person found with ganja will be suspended and terminated,” Sawant said.