There is a fear among drug enforcement agencies that drug traffickers may be increasingly resorting to ketamine trade because the substance is not covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Indian drug enforcement agencies are witnessing a disturbing trend. There has been a major spurt in illegal export of ketamine hydrochloride — better known as ‘date-rape’ drug. There is a fear among drug enforcement agencies that drug traffickers may be increasingly resorting to ketamine trade because the substance is not covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, a stringent act that can send a drug trafficker to 10 years in jail. An offence under NDPS is non-bailable and the drug dealer’s property can be attached.
Ketamine is currently only restricted for export. An exporter would require a license for its export. “The drug is not under ban in India unlike in other foreign countries. Plus, Indian ketamine is considered to be of a good quality,” said a senior directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) official.
Ketamine is essentially a veterinary anaesthetic, but also used in human medicines. Its abuse can result in “out-of-body” and “near-death” experiences. The substance, notorious as a “date-rape” drug, is widely used at rave parties, especially in the party circuit in east and south-east Asian countries, where it is banned. According to drug enforcement agencies, the substance costs around Rs30,000- 35,000 per kg in India. Drug traffickers sell the same substance abroad for Rs 8-10 lakh per kg.
A senior Narcotics Control Bureau official said, “There was a proposal to ban the substance, except for medicinal use, in India, but there is little development on that front.”
Increasing number and quantity of seizures by the DRI in the past few years have firmly placed India on the world map as a major source of ketamine. In 2007-08, the DRI seized 247kg of ketamine. The figure more than doubled to 574kg in 2008-09. Since April, the agency has made seizures to the tune of 70kg. In 2008-09, apart from DRI’s seizures, other narcotics agencies seized nearly 599kg, taking the total tally in the last financial to 1,173kg. In two of the biggest seizures in November and December, DRI recovered nearly 400kg of ketamine from the cargo section at Chennai airport.
Most of the consignments were seized in south India, especially Chennai. They were bound for Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. Drug enforcement agencies say most gangs involved in smuggling ketamine are based in south India.
The drug is manufactured under license in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. There is concern among agencies regarding pilferage from these legal manufacturing units.
What’s ketamine
A colourless, odourless substance that can induce ‘out-of-body’ and ‘near-death’ experiences. Also called ‘date-rape’ drug, it is widely used at rave parties.
Rich haul
April 2008: Customs at Chennai airport seize 10kg of ketamine from a Kuala Lumpur-bound passenger who tries to pass it off as custard, ice-cream powder and masala
July 2008: Customs at Chennai sea port seize 50kg of ketamine from a consignment meant for export to Malaysia
November 2008: DRI seize 197kg of ketamine worth Rs20 crore being passed off as onions, at Chennai airport
December 2008: Nearly 201.6kg of ketamine seized from a Madurai-based businessman at Chennai airport. The consignment was headed for Malaysia
February 2009: Malaysian
customs officials arrest Indian with 7.5kg of ketamine concealed in 147 soap bars
February 2009: DRI seizes nearly 100kg of Malaysia-bound ketamine at Thoothukudi port, Chennai. The drug was inside false bottoms of 645 steel vessels
April 2009: DRI seizes 15kg of Malaysia-bound ketamine
concealed in a tandoor oven at Chennai airport
April 2009: DRI seizes 55kg of
ketamine in paan masala pouches from export consignment in Delhi
May 2009: Malaysian airport authorities arrest New Delhi man with large quantity of ketamine
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