The Bengaluru Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted three drug syndicates operating in the southern states of the country, seized banned drugs and arrested six persons in the last nine days.
Zonal director (Chennai) Amit Ghawte said on Sunday that based on inputs from the Bengaluru zonal unit, they have been able to seize 244 grams of amphetamine, 25 LSD stamps, 2 grams of methaqualone, 40 grams of methamphetamine and 212.5 kilograms. Hemp (all psychoactive substances) in three different operations in the last nine days.
Despite heavy rains and cyclone warnings in Chennai and Andhra Pradesh, ganja smugglers are taking risks to procure the banned substance defying all odds. Besides, smuggling takes place through courier routes in such weather conditions, Ghawte said.
“On November 11, we had seized 40 grams of methamphetamine from a courier parcel in Bengaluru. The parcel was destined for Thiruvananthapuram. A controlled delivery of this seizure resulted in the apprehension of the actual receiver of the parcel at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala,” the NCB said.
According to the NCB, the authorities in its Cochin sub-zone were informed about a parcel going from Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram, which they intercepted on November 16. Contraband was neatly hidden in a gift parcel containing chewing gum and chocolates. Pie and trace proved to be quite difficult. Based on the field inputs, immediate follow-up action resulted in identification and apprehending of the actual receiver of the parcel at Thiruvananthapuram.
On 20 November, the Chennai Zonal Unit stopped an Ashok Leyland Dost vehicle at the Pallikonda toll plaza on the Vellore-Krishnagiri road in Tamil Nadu. The vehicle was occupied by two residents of Erode, who were apprehended. A thorough search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of over 212.5 kg of ganja hidden under coconut plants. An immediate follow-up and chase resulted in the interception of an Innova vehicle and two more Erode residents. They were the buyers of the banned substance and were escorting the vehicle. Both were caught. The ganja was allegedly imported from Andhra Pradesh and was on its way to Erode in Tamil Nadu for retail sale.
Methamphetamine/amphetamine and other synthetic drugs are very powerful and dangerous stimulants and are commonly abused as party drugs. Its side effects include effects on the central nervous system. Continuous use may cause heart problems including heart attack, memory lapse, hallucinations, seizures, etc.
Illegal cannabis cultivation in India is largely concentrated around the Naxal-affected Andhra-Odisha border areas. Hemp from this region finds its way into locations across the country. The difficult terrain of the region makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to destroy illegally grown hemp in a timely manner. The NCB said that recently, there has been an increase in seizures and smugglers are carrying ganja by road using different vehicles.
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