Costly ‘chitta’ turning users into peddlers

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 18

The high cost of “chitta”, semi-synthetic opioids mainly derived from heroin, is turning addicts into peddlers as teenagers, who can’t afford the drug, are resorting to selling it to get a cut for their consumption.

The cost of “chitta” is around Rs 4,000 per gram and most users in the age group of 16 to 22 years don’t have money to buy it.

DGP SR Mardi says, “The addicts are forming chains by introducing others to the drug as it is addictive and expensive and as a result, consumers are turning into peddlers.” He says the drugs can be concealed easily. Therefore, highly technical operations are being executed for its seizure.

“Chitta” smuggling has posed a challenge. Peddlers are bringing drugs in small quantities in shoes, mobile covers, pens, etc as there is only one-year imprisonment for the recovery of up to five grams of heroin.

The source of procurement of “chitta” for supply is Nigerians, mostly based in Nevada and Sarita Vihar area in Delhi. Ten Nigerians have been arrested in the past two years.

Investigations revealed that peddlers were not aware of the source as, in some cases, they were handed over the drugs at metro station in Delhi by Nigerians who were not known to them. The Golden Crescent route (Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan) is being used to smuggle chitta in India, sources in the intelligence agencies said.

As many as 538 persons, including 516 men, 18 women and four foreigners, had been arrested till August 31 this year and 358 cases and 4.906 kg of heroin had been seized, says SP, Narcotics, Ashok Kumar.

Chitta is addictive and consumers get addicted on the third instance. Its consumption is increasing as it is 40 per cent less expensive than heroin. It is highly dangerous as its overdose could even result in death, says Director, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Arun Sharma.

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10 Nigerians held in two years

The source of its procurement are Nigerians mostly staying in Delhi

10 Nigerians have been arrested in two years

‘Chitta’ is so addictive that consumers get addicted to it on the third instance

The cost of “chitta” is around Rs 4,000 per gram

4.906 kg of heroin had been seized till Aug 31