Nagpur: The recent bust of a Mephedrone (MD) manufacturing unit in Pachpaoli, Nagpur, leading to the seizure of 52 kg of liquid MD valued at an astonishing Rs 78 crore, has thrown a spotlight on the alarming rise of MD addiction and trafficking in the city. The worrying sale and addiction of the drug in the city has skyrocketed in the last couple of years, and new players are entering the market due to the increasing demand and profits, a media report said.
In the last five-and-a-half years, Nagpur Police have registered 176 cases related to MD trafficking and arrested 322 individuals. Despite these successes, the reports highlight that Nagpur has become a significant hub for MD smuggling in Central India, with the city now supplying drugs to several neighbouring states. Peddlers and suppliers are increasingly targeting B-category cities like Amravati, Yavatmal, and Wardha, expanding their illicit business across the region.
Today’s Rate
Saturday 23 Nov. 2024
According to statistics from the Nagpur Police, the influx of psychotropic substances, especially MD, has surged dramatically in recent years. Over the past five-and-a-half years, the city police have confiscated psychotropic substances worth approximately Rs 12 crore, with MD alone accounting for Rs 6.50 crore.
The data reveals a staggering 1,200% increase in MD seizures over the last five years. In 2019, the Nagpur Police seized 677 grams of MD valued at Rs 20.13 lakh. This figure has continuously escalated, with 2.74 kg of MD worth Rs 2.73 crore confiscated in 2023. In the first six months of 2024, 1.81 kg of MD worth Rs 1.84 crore was seized, further highlighting the alarming trend.
Despite these efforts, reports indicate that the MD and other psychotropic substances seized by the police are merely a fraction of what is smuggled and sold in the city. The actual influx of MD into Nagpur is believed to be far more extensive, pointing to a larger, more entrenched network of drug distribution.
In the last five-and-a-half years, Nagpur Police have registered 176 cases related to MD trafficking and arrested 322 individuals. Despite these successes, the reports highlight that Nagpur has become a significant hub for MD smuggling in central India, with the city now supplying drugs to several neighbouring states.
The recent seizure in Pachpaoli serves as a grim reminder of the escalating drug crisis in Nagpur, calling for intensified efforts from law enforcement and community leaders to combat this growing menace.
