Cops probe drugs supply during F1
The police and the narcotics department on Tuesday initiated investigation into the supply of narcotics during the recently concluded Formula One race in Greater Noida.
The police and the narcotics department on Tuesday initiated investigation into the supply of narcotics during the recently concluded Formula One race in Greater Noida. Two Nigerians arrested in Delhi have revealed that they supplied narcotics at Formula One parties.
“Though the Delhi Police have not contacted us, we have begun conducting raids to nab the suppliers. We have appealed to college managements and students to inform us about such suppliers,” said Rakesh Jolly, superintendent of police in Greater Noida.
A local narcotics department team also questioned people at city restaurants and vends near the party venue. More than one lakh visitors had attended the Formula One racing event and thousands of them participated in the post-event parties.
Cocaine was reported to have been supplied during the event.
Jaypee Sports International (JPSI), on whose track India’s maiden Grand Prix was held, denied having bought or served narcotics at parties or otherwise. “Expecting a huge crowd, drug peddlers became active and searched for buyers. But at the Formula One race venue, chances of supplying drugs are rare as there was multi-layer security,” said KK Gautam, a retired police officer.
“The parking lots at Knowledge Park could have been used to strike deals. The peripheral areas in Dankaur and Jewar have several pockets where narcotics suppliers feel safe to meet,” he added.
“The Greater Noida police have to be careful and regularly scan the area for narcotics suppliers. The area has more than 60 engineering and management colleges. Students are soft targets for such gangs,” said Gautam.
“At Jagat farms, opposite IEC College, and several other locations in the three Knowledge Parks where students usually assemble, complaints have been received about the supply of drugs. But by the time police teams reached the spot, the smugglers had fled,” DK Garg, president of the Greater Noida Institutions Association told the HT on Tuesday.
Roaring engines take a toll
During the three days of the Formula One event in Greater Noida, about 440 people had to seek medical help. A report of a hospital which provided healthcare during the race said out of 440 people, 176 complained of headache and ear pain because of the roars of car engines. Against the normal 50-60 decibel, the race took the noise level to 150 decibel. The organisers, however, had advised people to use earplugs to avoid complications. HTC, Noida
Get Current Updates on India News, Lok Sabha election 2024 live, Election 2024 along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.