India Drugged by Monish Bhalla – A Powerful Eye-Opener on India’s Drug Crisis

An Uncomfortable Truth

India Drugged: An Eye Opener by Monish Bhalla is a detailed, insightful book. It contains of 9 sections that tells us about drug menace in different states and how drug trafficking is increasing in India. It also tells about the various drug types and their effects. Where which of their crop is cultivated, NPS New Psychoactive Substances, Designer Drugs, The Onion Router(Tor), Darknet Markets, increasing  of cryptocurrency for marketing drugs, the art of Concealment, the K2 factor in Narco-Terrorism,  Drones, the chemistry and economics of drugs.

This book highlights all the major points that every person should be aware about nowadays. The role played by drug smugglers, the method they use including technology for trafficking drugs and the need for a multi-pronged approach to create a drug-free India.

India is still a route for increasing supply of narcotics in the oceanic region – Australia and New Zealand and the traditional drug consumers in United States, Canada and United Kingdom. But on the other side India has become a major consumer of narcotics drugs. COVID-19 has played a crucial role in the past two years.

The Expanding Drug Network Across India

Punjab: The Beginning of a Crisis

The various drugs were being trafficked in different states in crores, it all started from Punjab. Punjabi songs about drugs and liquor are just as popular as love songs. One of the most abused drugs in Punjab is chitta (adulterated heroine). The level of addiction within the state has reached critical levels with drug consumption worth thousands of crores.

Kerala: The Cooking Centre

Kerala has been known as the cooking centre. It found the number of narcotic cases reported so far in the year 2022. Investigations had revealed and Italian link to the Kerala based narcotics trafficker as well as Himachal connections. Kerala has also seen increase in female drug users aged 22 to 25, with many of them addicted to MDMA groups. (A 13-year-old girl admitted to being used as a drug carrier by a drug Mafia in exchange for drugs like MDMA. She had made friends with the members of the drug Mafia through Instagram, highlighting the dangers of social media in facilitating criminal activities.)
 

Andhra Pradesh: Online Cannabis Network

In Andhra Pradesh a novel method of drug trafficking was detected in early 2022. Under the guise of stevia leaves, 2 crores worth of cannabis (Ganja) was illegally marketed online on several e-commerce platforms using forced GSTN numbers from Andhra Pradesh to the states of Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

Gujarat: Maritime Drug Routes

In Gujarat it was estimated that more than 70% of total drug trafficking is being conducted through maritime routes. It has become a favoured route for the smuggling of high-quality heroine intended for domestic use and other international markets. Ahmedabad police discovered a highly organized drug trafficking ring that accepted crypto-currency payments and delivered drugs by air freight couriers. They sold drugs including hybrid Ganja, American Charas, Malana Charas and Psychotropic Magic Mushrooms and catered to college students in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar from a variety of institutions.

Goa: Tourism & Illicit Trade

Goa has seen a lot of foreign tourists specially Russians who were known for spending a lot of money. Some of these tourists also get involved in illegal activities like selling drugs and online gambling. The illicit drug trade in Goa is thriving and CK1, a dangerous combination of cocaine and ketamine, is widely available on the North Goa beaches of Candolim, Baga, Calangute, Anjuna, Vegator and Arambol and sold under the false name’s “blizzard” and “Calvin Klein”.

Understanding the Five Main Types of Drugs

• Narcotics – Used for pain relief and can cause drowsiness and reduced awareness.
• Depressants – Slow down the central nervous system leading to relaxation.
• Stimulants – Increase alertness, energy and focus.
• Hallucinogens – Alter perception and cause hallucinations.
• Anabolic Steroids – Promote muscle growth and physical performance.