Synthetic drugs making inroads into state

Bhanu P Lohumi

Advertisement

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 24

High-valued synthetic drugs, including MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, and liquid lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known as acid, have made inroads into the hill state.

The police have seized 1.041 kg of MDMA from two foreigners — an American and a Russian — in Manali and 85 gram of liquid LSD in Kasol in October during a 100-day anti-drugs drive.

The supply base of MDMA (in white powder form) is not yet confirmed, but preliminary investigations pointed out that the smuggling route could be Mumbai or Bangalore. The American suspect is not new to the drug trade as he was earlier nabbed in 2015 with 70-80 gram of charas. While the source of liquid LSD was Kullu, the links are from Hyderabad. This is the first such seizure as earlier small quantities were seized and LSD was recovered only in the form of blotting paper.

Both mood changing or recreational drugs are often used in parties as they have energising effect, causing enhanced enjoyment from sensory experiences.

Kullu district, mainly Manali and suburbs, is infamous for cannabis cultivation, but the recovery of synthetic drugs, commonly used in rave parties, in such a large quantity is a new trend.

During the 100 day-drive against drugs from August 15 to November 15, the police have seized more than two lakh tablets, capsules and syrups and 102 kg of opium, charas and ganja as compared to 26,521 tablets, capsules and syrups and 69 kg of opium, charas and ganja seized in the corresponding period last year.

DGP Somesh Goyal said a total of 261 cases had been registered under the NDPS Act and 299 persons, including eight women and 10 foreigners, had been arrested. One vehicle used in smuggling of drugs was also seized and in 24 cases, commercial quantities of drugs were recovered while in 26 cases financial investigation was being carried out. The police created awareness in 1,015 schools on drug abuse.

The Shimla police last night spotted two youths moving under suspicious circumstances in the fruit market at Bhatta Kufer and on search 50 gram of heroin worth Rs 15-lakh in the international market was recovered from them. The youths identified as Navin (25) and Sunil (24) have been arrested.