Mumbai is infamous not just for its appetite for drug consumption, but also as a major transit centre for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, according to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) sources.
Speaking to DNA from New Delhi, Additional Director General (ADG), Om Prakash, said that over the last two years, the inflow of drugs such as cocaine and heroin into the city has increased substantially. Similarly, the outward movement of these drugs, including Mandrax tablets (a type of sedative), have gone up noticeably.
Citing various reasons for the development, Prakash said that Mumbai attracts millions of tourists and businessmen every year, and also a fair share of people dealing in drugs.
“Apart from the international airport, Mumbai has a busy sea port, air cargo, foreign post office, large network of courier services and inland freight stations. Keeping a close watch on all these facilities is not feasible, both logistically and physically,” Prakash added.
Another disturbing trend, according to NCB officials, was the phenomenal increase in the inflow of heroin from Afghanistan. Till some three years ago, only five per cent of heroin landing in the country came from Afghanistan. “Today, nearly 35-40 per cent of heroin supply can be traced to Afghanistan,” said Prakash.
The Afghan-manufactured heroin is smuggled into the country through Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab via Pakistan. “It is very difficult to monitor the entire length of the border which is porous,” he said.
The arrest of five foreigners at the Mumbai International airport — three Iranians and two Nigerians — moving out huge quantities of heroin, during the last one week, gives credence to the NCB findings, the sources added.
‘It’s a global effort’
This is what NCB Director General KC Verma had to say:
"The pipelines of drug supplies are open and we are trying hard to plug them. The drug trade is run by international syndicates and a lot of interaction with global agencies has to be maintained. The seizure of 200 kg of cocaine from Nhava Seva port last month was a result of such global cooperation.
The increased drug-related activity in Mumbai is a cause of concern, but one or two incidents of smuggling do not bother us. Our job goes beyond that. We have to work harder to curb the menace."
The Pathfinder
Heroin comes in from —Afghanistan
Via - Pakistan
Through — Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab border
Volume — 35-40% of demand
