Drug cell to step up checks at party venues

The Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Mumbai police has intensified its operations to ensure that no drug abuse takes place at parties this year. It has prepared a detailed list of pubs, discotheques, resorts and other venues where drugs are likely to be consumed during parties. Accordingly ANC sleuths will be deployed at these venues.

Both male and female young officers, who were recently posted with the cell, would attend these parties in plain clothes or party wear and keep a close watch on activities there.

A senior ANC officer said, “It has been observed on many occasions that the management of the venue does not allow patrons to indulge in illegal activities like consuming drugs. The customers step out to consume the drug and then go back inside.

Acting on a tip last year, a similar raid was conducted, and seven youngsters were caught consuming drugs outside a pub. We will keep a watch on areas and by-lanes near such venues, as people may use these places for drug consumption.”

ANC officials will be armed with drug detection analysers, which will help them know if the person has consumed a drug even without conducting his or her urine and blood test. This will further help nab people. Additional forces will be
deployed, and back-ups will be kept ready to conduct raids at venues where large-scale drug consumption is suspected.

Deputy police commissioner, ANC, Sunil Paraskar, said, “Information received through informers has revealed that suppliers will bring in cocaine and party drugs like ecstacy, ice, and meth in huge amounts for parties. Our crackdown goes on throughout the year, but it is intensified during this period when the consumption and supply of drugs increases to ensure that no drug abuse takes place in the city.”

He added, “Recently, drugs worth Rs46 lakh were seized. The supply chain will be tapped to see where the drugs are coming from or are being delivered to.”

Other than party venues, places where private parties will be organised will be on the ANC’s watch list. According to informers, many such parties will be organised at farm houses and flats on the outskirts of the city.