Synthetic drugs bigger threat: Capt

Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha and Amritsar MP, Capt Amarinder Singh, has asserted that synthetic drugs produced within the country, more specifically in Punjab, were a more serious threat than those smuggled from across the border.

Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha and Amritsar MP, Capt Amarinder Singh, has asserted that synthetic drugs produced within the country, more specifically in Punjab, were a more serious threat than those smuggled from across the border.

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Responding to the statement of union minister for finance and defence Arun Jaitely that drugs smuggled from across the border are a “serious threat” to the country, Amarinder while talking to reporters here on Friday, said that Punjab was facing a “more serious challenge from homemade drugs produced locally with the patronage of certain Akali leaders”.

Pointing to the continuous smuggling of drugs from Pakistan, he said that a large quantity of these drugs were seized by the forces at the border. “In fact, Punjab is more of a transit point for the smuggled contraband and from here these drugs are moved to other states”, he added.

“However the actual and more serious problem in Punjab are the synthetic drugs which are being supplied very cheaply and easily”, he claimed.

He said: “From his (Jaitely’s) observations it appears that he is absolutely unaware of the menace of the synthetic drugs produced locally and with due patronage of the ruling Akalis who are his party’s alliance partners in Punjab and also at the Centre”.