The Latest Craze is Designer Drugs

• Nigerians supply drugs to city via Goa
• Rs50 cr worth drug peddling estimated this New Year
• We will crackdown on drug mafia: Anjani Kumar, ACP (L&O)

Youth in the city are likely to usher in the upcoming New Year with drugs. That’s not a surprise as there has been an abundant supply of drugs to the city in the past six months, to the tune of Rs 10 crore. Sources confirm that drugs worth at least Rs 50 crore would be supplied until the New Year. The drugs are being supplied from Goa and there is nexus between Nigerians in Goa and those of the peddlers in the city.

With Christmas and New Year round the corner, everyone in the city is gearing up for celebrations. Of late, rave parties have taken the city by storm and the youth have embraced them with open hands. The emergence of rave party culture has elated the spirits of the drug mafia.

Drugs are being peddled for New Year celebrations in the city from Goa, and sources with the police said that they suspect a few Nigerians in the city who might be running the cartel. Usage of drugs earlier was predominantly seen at rave parties that used to mark New Year celebrations on the outskirts of the city. This year, police are suspecting a possible drug supply to a few pubs in core city.

It is believed that drugs worth Rs 10 crore were peddled into the city in the past six months and reportedly the drug mafia are aiming to make sales worth Rs 50 crore this Christmas and New Year. This year, there is more influx of designer drugs, as the prices of cocaine, opium and ephedrine have increased. Consumption of drugs would give you a high, but no one is sure, what happens with designer drugs. Health experts cite that many drugs are mixed to make designer drugs and the side effects could be more harmful.

The Goan connect

Cops believe that the supply of drugs originates from South Africa, reaching the city through Goa. There is a nexus between the Nigerians living in Goa and in Hyderabad. Recently, Goa Police, in their combing operations, found that some Nigerians were illegally staying in Goa. They had an extended visa stamp which was forged. On interrogation, it was found that they had forged the visa through an agent based in Hyderabad. In return for this favour, they supply drugs to those in city. Speaking to Hyderabad Hans, Anjani Kumar, ACP (law & order), said, “There is an increase in drug peddling as Christmas and New Year is nearing. We have increased our patrolling and are inspecting all the suspected rave parties to crack down on drug peddling.”

When asked about the increased use of designer drugs, Anjani Kumar said, “Of late this has been a new attraction, spoilt brats and youth who are naturally curious are trying these, without the knowledge of their harmful effects.”

Narcotics cell is taking a siesta

To cut down on drug peddling and the influx of drugs to the city, city police started a narcotics cell, two years ago. Sadly, in the past two years, they haven’t busted any major drug cases in the city. Sources say that the cell is understaffed, with only eight constables working in the cell, against the estimated 40.