LSD worth Rs 16 lakh seized in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: Police seized 165 grams of the costly drug, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), and arrested a youth on Saturday afternoon. The youth has been identified as Shanoob, 23, a mechanical engineer and son of Mamukkoya, a native of Kundungal, here. Acting on a tip off received by city police commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, the arrest was made after investigation by a police team led by assistant commissioner Abdul Rassak. Known as a party drug, LSD, is used widely among the elite youth in the city as a booster during DJ parties.

The accused was arrested near the Indoor stadium with the LSD. Kasaba circle inspector Pramod, sub inspectors Sijith, Shamjith among others were involved in the investigation and arrest. Circle inspector Pramod told DC that the youth has been supplying drugs to youngsters and students of the city. “He has been sourcing drugs from Goa, Bangalore and Mysore”, he said. "Sourced from Nepal for New Year celebrations, the value of LSD is around Rs 16.3 lakh", according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Merin Joseph. "A special squad has been formed to investigate the case", she added. "The drug was supplied by an agent from Nepal", she added. 

A shocking revelation for police

The seizure of LSD, a costly drug widely used by youngsters during DJ parties once again has exposed the culpability of the city youth. A drug much stronger than heroin and brown sugar, an LSD sheet would have eighty to hundred shots in the form of a circle, triangle or square, say experts. Priced at Rs 1000 to Rs 1200, the drug is known by nicknames like ‘Blotter’, ‘Acid,’ and ‘Purple Heart’.  The vicious might of the drug cartels was evident when a youngster was found killed in a lodge while injecting the drug a few months back. Since then police has been tracking the drug routes and also had identified some silent operators and suppliers, sources said.  

City police commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has been conducting micro-level intervention to destroy the drug peddlers’ network. The Mangalore-Goa connection of city-based drug suppliers and the entry of new psychotropic drugs into the city also have been under the scanner since.   Priced at more than Rs 1,000 for just a pinch, the high quantity of seizure means Shanoob is a key supplier.

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide), a costly psychedelic drug used by youngsters of affluent families has been gaining popularity among city youth for the last few years.  An odourless, colourless and tasteless drug, widely used by participants in dance parties, police had reported LSD cases in the city way back in 2011. The spread of the drug among city youth came to light in a letter received by the city police commissioner from the mother of a young drug addict in 2013.  According to NCB sources, the city is part of the most preferred of all drug routes in the country as is borne out by the following -Mumbai-Kasargod-Kozhikode, UP-Bangalore-Kozhikode and Rajasthan-Bangalore-Kasargod-Kozhikode and Mumbai-Goa-Kozhikode-Kochi.