Panaji, July 27 - Leader of opposition in the Goa assembly Manohar Parrikar said here Monday that MV River Princess, a cargo vessel which has beached off Sinquerim, is being used as a transit point for drugs.

Speaking during the monsoon session of the assembly, the former chief minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader alleged that sale of drugs in Goa was rampant and that the narcotics cartels were now using the beached ship for hoarding and disbursing drugs.

'The River Princess is being used for smuggling of drugs. It has now become a transit point for drugs. The police should take action on this,' Parrikar said.

The MV River Princess had grounded off Candolim beach back in 2000. Repeated state governments have been unable to haul the ship from the beach, despite the fast erosion of Candolim beach, which has been triggered by the ship's looming presence.