Kozhikode: The choice recreational drug in the rave party circuit, ecstasy, is being increasingly smuggled into Kerala through the porous check-posts of Wayanad.
Ecstasy is a crack drug manufactured at the homestead level and is in demand due to its low pricing. Ecstasy or Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has become the 'psychoactive favourite' among youngsters for its ability to give users a high for 'three to six hours' on a go, say excise officials.
To prevent the inflow of the drug, the excise enforcement has issued an alert to all Malabar districts, says deputy commissioner (Wayanad) P K Suresh. Continuous seizures had been made from the Muthanga check post, he said.
“Carriers have confessed to have brought the drug from other states for customers in Kozhikode. Even a mere 500gm of the drug can land a carrier in jail, that too on a non-bailable count. However, they seem to carry it in smaller quantities and use it in soft drinks. MDMA is a crystal, like sugar. So, it can be transported easily and mixed with soft drinks. It helps the users to continue dancing for hours and beat tedium.
“These drugs, called ecstasy, are mostly used in rave parties. In the last seizure a man from Maharashtra was caught with 19 gm. He confessed that he was shipping it from Bengaluru for customers in Kozhikode. The emerging rave destinations in Kozhikode are under the scanner,” Suresh said.
The officer added that despite leads it is hard to track the drug dealers as their transactions are purely through WhatsApp and other social media channels. “Places like Vayalada are remote and not easily accessible even during raids. They are well networked and get tipped off early enough to escape,” Suresh added.
MDMA can be inhaled as vapour or mixed with drinks. It can also be injected into the veins with lemon juice.
In Kerala market, the drug costs Rs 8,000 to Rs 13,000 per gram. Possessing the drug can attract 10 to 20 years in jail or a fine of Rs 1-5 lakh, say officials.
