Breaking the Drug Syndicate Is Nagpur Police’s Priority : Vishwas Nangare Patil

Nagpur : Drug sales, distribution and production are taking place in Nagpur city. Gangs involved in distribution are being identified, and a strategy is being adopted under provisions such as MCOCA, NDPS and PTCs. The target given by Hon’ble Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is to identify the top ten networks, trace the source of the drugs and dismantle the entire drug syndicate.

In the very first meeting, the Chief Minister had also directed me that the drug syndicate in the city must be dismantled. Accordingly, dismantling all these drug syndicates has become a priority for the Nagpur Police.

Our entire machinery is working day and night, not merely for registering cases under the NDPS Act, but to ensure effective action at every police station.

The most important concern is that drug peddling, particularly involving NDPS substances, has developed through laboratories operating in Nagpur district. Drugs are not simply being brought from elsewhere. Therefore, we have made every possible effort to tackle this problem.

Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances 

Earlier, narcotic and psychotropic substances were the major concern. Narcotics are drugs derived from plants, such as opium, cannabis, charas, cocaine and marijuana. These plant based drugs were more prevalent around ten years ago.

However, psychotropic substances are different. As seen in series such as Breaking Bad, substances such as MDMA, methamphetamine and lysergic acid derivatives can produce hallucinations and other psychological effects. We are taking action to stop the spread of such drugs.

Importantly, their use has also increased in pubs and discotheques

There are certain systems and networks operating in pubs and discos. Raids had earlier been conducted at two major hotels in Mumbai and at a location near the foothills of Sinhagad, where around 300 young men and women were found involved in drug consumption.

The trance or radical audio visual music played at such events can provide young people with temporary pleasure after consuming drugs. However, becoming addicted to such substances can prove fatal.

Efforts to Keep Young People Away from Drugs

It is scientifically established that drug addiction can have serious consequences. I had closely studied this issue when I was associated with the Narcotics Cell as DCP in Mumbai. I had examined the communication networks involved and how these drugs were circulated through different channels.

Therefore, I have adopted a somewhat aggressive approach towards this issue. The objective is to prevent our younger generation from becoming addicted to drugs in connection with such events and activities. Keeping young people away from drug addiction is the responsibility of the police as well as society as a whole.

Initially, some youngsters may enjoy such events under the influence of alcohol. Gradually, they may move towards the second stage, where they become attracted to the vibrations and effects of trance music, laser beams and other sensory experiences.

Our position is that the nervous system, particularly the central nervous system, should not become dependent on such temporary stimulation.

Therefore, we want to keep the youth, particularly young people, away from such activities. This is one part of our concerted efforts against the drug menace.

Action Against Drug Peddlers

Our teams have already been instructed to take effective action wherever drug peddlers are found, including at pubs, parties and similar gatherings.

I have already issued instructions to all our teams that wherever young people are found being exposed to drugs or becoming involved in drug consumption, effective action must be taken.

Nagpur City Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare Patil appealed to all young people during a press conference to focus on their bright future and not fall prey to any form of addiction.