New Delhi: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has seized a very large cache of the drug ‘ecstasy’. The drug ‘ecstasy’ is used to boost the adrenalin level during parties and to get a heady feeling. The ‘ecstasy’ tablets were sourced from Belgium by a Mumbai-based couple, officials said Thursday.
A total of 3,056 tablets of the narcotic have been seized in an operation conducted in the western metropolis last week, they said. Each ecstasy pill costs between Rs 1,500-Rs 2,500 in the domestic market.
NCB officials said the couple, identified as HA Choudhury and R Batharey, had ordered the pills from Brussels. A total of 3,010 pills were sent through a courier August 10 by hiding them in the ‘false cavity’ of a box that contained soft toys. The remaining 46 pills were recovered from the Navi Mumbai residence of the couple, they claimed.
“The high quality ecstasy pills seized are in different colours like orange, pink and green. The drug was sourced from Brussels and was meant for supply in the Mumbai party circuit,” NCB deputy director (operations) KPS Malhotra said. “We are investigating the linkages of this case to the wider syndicate who traffic party drugs into India,” he added.
At 3,056 tablets, this is one of the largest seizures of the narcotic pills in India, Malhotra stated.
MDMA (methylenedioxy- methamphetamine) is commonly known as ecstasy. It is a party drug that alters mood and its perception is chemically similar to stimulants and hallucinogens. It produces a feeling of increased energy and pleasure.
“As per UNODC’s World Drug Report 2020, ecstasy continues to be manufactured primarily in Europe, most notably in Western and Central Europe. It accounts for two-thirds of the ‘ecstasy’ laboratories dismantled worldwide,” an NCB statement said.