Mumbai: Drug peddlers update, get clients using WhatsApp

With social networking sites under police scanner, drug peddlers have now moved on to personalised mobile chat messengers such as WhatsApp to crack deals with clients or spread information on rave parties.

With social networking sites under police scanner, drug peddlers have now moved on to personalised mobile chat messengers such as WhatsApp to crack deals with clients or spread information on rave parties.

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For the past few months, the specialised cell of the police has been tracking the online activities of drug peddlers. But with peddlers giving out information on mobile messengers, which are difficult to crack, the anti-narcotics cell (ANC) is now relying on informers and partygoers for tip-offs.

According to ANC officials, who recently questioned a drug peddler, the communication on mobile chat is usually in small groups or a direct chat with the client. “Getting into small mobile chat groups is, at times, difficult for the peddlers as the group administrator adds a person to the group only after a proper background check or if he knows him very well,” said an official of ANC, on condition of anonymity, as he is not authorized to speak to the media.

Namdeo Chavan, deputy commissioner of police, ANC, said, “Chats through personalised mobile messengers are difficult to crack. But we will keep an eye on peddlers with cases against them to ensure they don’t sell drugs in parties. Our officials will enter the parties as civilians, so they can nab those selling drugs.”