PANJIM | Oct 11, 2017: In a major raid, Department of Mines and Geology on Tuesday seized 37 canoes loaded with illegal sand at Amona.

The raid was conducted by Mines Department, Captain of Ports and Bicholim Police on illegal sand extraction activity at Amona at around 2.30pm following a tip-off from a source. In all 37 canoes were found involved in extraction of sand. Police also seized four trucks loaded with sand.

Officials confirmed that the canoes were seized and handed over to Captain of Ports, while the trucks are in possession of the police. The canoe operators and truck drivers have been booked for transporting minerals in violation of Minor Mineral Concession Rules 2013.

“Trucks and canoes would be released after imposing necessary penalties,” the official said. He said that sand mining is currently at a halt and fresh permissions are yet to be issued.

(Source: https://www.heraldgoa.in/)