Punjab emerging as major drug producing hub

Chandigarh, Punjab: From a transit point for supply of drugs, Punjab is now emerging as a major drug producing centre. The recovery of drug producing chemicals and unearthing of drug factories amply proves this.

The Directorate of Enforcement, Department of Revenue, is learnt to have sought from the Punjab police an updated data on the recent recoveries. The Special Director, Karnail Singh, said they were still waiting for a response.

A drug manufacturing factory in Samrala being operated by a Russian was unearthed last year. Recently, chemicals used for manufacturing drugs were recovered from Mohali, indicating that the drug mafia has spread its tentacles in the region. This is alarming. More and more youths are taking to drugs, as revealed by various health drives undertaken by the state government.

According to findings by the Intelligence wing of the police and the Narcotics Bureau, ‘party drugs’ are the latest entrants in the market. These are being made locally. Chemicals like ketamine, used for general anaesthesia, and metaphenine is being used for popular drugs at rave parties such as Ecstasy. The latter is derived from MDMA (methylenedioxy-methamphetamine). It is a synthetic, psycho-active drug with similarities to the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. It produces feelings of increased energy and euphoria.

Source: TNS