Delhi outskirts a transit point for drug peddling?

NEW DELHI: The recent arrest of a South African woman — an alleged international drug peddler — from the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport with narcotics

NEW DELHI: The recent arrest of a South African woman — an alleged international drug peddler — from the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport with narcotics worth Rs 50 lakh is just the tip of the iceberg, officials believe.

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Sleuths at the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) claim that the areas on outskirts of Delhi are being used as a transit point for drugs. The NCB has arrested more foreigners than Indians during the last one year and seized over 150 kilos of the drug Paeudephidrene in the last two years.

Pseudoephedrine is a stimulant that can cause an excitable, hyperactive feeling and increase heart rate and blood pressure.

“We are trying to break the drug syndicate. Most of the peddlers spend time in the outskirts of Delhi, in places like Burari and Bawana, to collect their drugs,” a NCB official said.

In 2015-16 alone, the NCB has conducted 47 operations and arrested 27 persons, including 18 foreigners.

Out of the nine arrested Indians, one was a female while out of 18 arrested foreigners, seven were females.

In 2014-15, the agency had conducted 36 raids and arrested 46 people — 25 Indians and 21 foreigners. Out of the 25 Indians arrested, two were females while out of the 21 foreigners arrested, 10 were females

“Foreigners prefer using women as carriers. In the last year we have seized nine kilos of heroin, seven kilos of cocaine, 67 kilos of charas, 64 kilos of Paeudephidrene, 57 kilos of Methaqualone and 21 kilos of Amphetamine/Meth,” the official said.

NC B officials say that they use opportunities like Inter national Day against Drug Abuse( June 26) to spread awareness among residents.

Narcotics Control Bureau director general, RR Bhatnagar said: “We held an event at India Gate on Sunday, during which our officials distributed brochures and pamphlets to participants asking them to Say No to Drugs. NCB keeps organising awareness drives against drugs in schools, colleges and public places across the country on a regular basis.”

“Most of the drugs come from Himachal Pradesh. Some of it is even sourced from neighbouring countries. But most traffickers use Delhi as a transit point,” a Narcotics Control Bureau official added.