Designer drugs invading, soaring in popularity in Maharashtra: Narcotics Control Bureau

Designer drugs are making inroads into the world of contrabands and their popularity among junkies in Maharashtra is soaring as compared to traditional hashish and cocaine. So is overall drug abuse, if figures released by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is anything to go by.The central agency has seized banned substances worth Rs4 crore in 2014 , which is double the haul it made the previous year. Last year saw hallucinogens such as ephedrine, ketamine and amphetamine getting added to the list, with ephedrine leading the new trend.Kumar Sanjay Jha, zonal director of NCB, said, "Our vigilance was strengthened at all vulnerable entry and exit points of the state. We also identified several new routes used for drug trafficking. That apart, we have been tightening the noose around courier services as majority of transit happens via them. We have been asking courier firms to scan every parcel they receive."NCB officials say synthetic drugs have become immensely popular and may surpass the natural variants in the near future. Testimony to this is the fact that there have not been any significant seizures of opium, ganja and cocaine – only .2 grams of cocaine and 12 kg of hashish were seized in 2014, while a whopping 108 kg of ephedrine and 36 kg of ketamine were confiscated for the same period.Among the new generation of drugs, ephedrine is being made in the country and exported in large quantities to Malaysia, Singapore, China, Japan and Indonesia. While it is medically prescribed to treat lung disorders such as bronchitis, the compound is also a powerful narcotic. Ephedrine is mostly consumed by athletes and fitness enthusiasts. NCB officials said the drug is in huge demand in raw as well as processed forms.Massive crackdowns on several clandestine labs also led to an increase in drug haul last year as compared to 2013, said the officials. The agency has witnessed mischief when a consignment meant for used in medicinal purposes is smuggled out or made to disappear.Officials also added that a lot of Iranians have set up labs with their Indian counterparts to manufacture drugs. "Most of the ingredients used in these synthetic drugs has medicinal value and are easily available. Therefore, we cannot really stop their transit. Apart from raiding unscrupulous labs, we are keeping a close watch on pharmacies to ensure that medicines are not misused," said an NCB officer.Several illegal labs have mushroomed in various places, including Pune, Mumbai and Nagpur, said officials, adding that trafficking of drugs in bulk is gradually reducing. The officer said, "Nowadays, drugs are concealed in smaller packages so that can be transported through couriers and express mail services. About 50 grams of drugs are hidden in 100-odd envelopes at a time."NCB seizures in 2014Drug Quantity (in kg) Price (lakhs)Ephedrine 108.8 108Ketamine 36.2 36Amphetamine/meth 8.75 170Charas/hashish 12.9 12.9Heroin .66 66.5 lakhCocaine 0.52 Rs 52 lakhCost of total seizure - Rs 4 crore2013Drug Quantity (in kg) Price (lakhs)Ephedrine 40.09 40Ketamine 32.3 32.8Amphetamine/meth 5.15 50Charas/Hashish 2 2 lakhHeroin 9.114 90.1Cocaine 0.243 24 lakh