Kangra police trace drug source to Jalandhar

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, July 29

In a major breakthrough, the Kangra police have claimed to have traced the source of psychotropic drugs being brought into the district to Jalandhar in Punjab.

Kangra SP Sanjeev Gandhi said a few days ago, they had caught two persons in McLeodganj. About 4,500 proxyvon capsules (a psychotropic drug) and powder (suspected to be cocaine) were recovered from them. A case under the NDPS Act was registered against two persons.

Investigations revealed that the psychotropic drugs were scheduled drugs and could not be sold without the prescription of doctors even by registered chemists. It was learnt that the accused had got the drugs from Jalandhar. “We are sending teams to zero in on the source,” he said.

The police said big money was luring the youth into smuggling. Sources said proxyvon capsules were sedatives having addictive side-effects. “These are purchased in bulk by peddlers at prices ranging from Rs 2 per capsule,” the said. In Dharamsala and McLeodganj, a capsule is being sold for Rs 20 to Rs 25. Those involved in the trade are earning between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh.

The Kangra police have written to the authorities asking for permission to deal with smugglers under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

As per provisions of the Act, the police cannot directly act against the smugglers. They have to wait for the consent of drug inspectors to file a case against the accused.

The provision of involving drug inspectors in cases of violation of the Act was made to protect registered chemists from harassment. Kangra SP has, however, requested the authorities to keep the registered chemists out of the preview of the police and allow them to take direct action against the smugglers.

The police have written to the authorities to demolish Shiva Cafe in Bhagsunag. The cafe located above the Bhagsunag waterfall has been raised illegally on government land. One has to trek about 100 ft from the waterfall to reach the cafe. It is mostly visited by foreign tourists.

The police said the people running the cafe were reportedly allowing charas consumption on their premises. “We have already registered a case in this regard and have requested for the demolition of the illegal structure,” the SP said.