Ahmedabad: Sources in DFS said an analysis of the samples of the seized drugs in the last few years suggests that synthetic drugs are the most common type caught in the city. Mephedrone is the most common synthetic drug seized in Ahmedabad, while Pentazocine injection is common in Vadodara, ganja is in Surat and opium in Banaskantha. Other than these, codeine sulphate syrups and LSDs are also frequently caught from urban areas.
There has also been a drastic increase in the number of drug samples sent to DFS for testing. In 2018, some 168 samples were sent for testing, followed by 315 in 2020 and as many as 413 in 2021 till date. Drugs seized most commonly in the state overall are opium, ‘posh doda’, charas and brown sugar, going by the samples that are set to DFS for tests. Incidentally, lorazepam and diazepam drugs are used by criminals out on their nefarious activities, sources said. In the last couple of years, a larger variety of drug samples have been sent for testing.
In the recent drug seizures in Porbandar and Mundra, primary testing has revealed that the drug caught from the sea off Porbandar was opium alkaloid, although comprehensive testing of the samples is still on. The drug caught from Mundra has turned out to be opium alkaloid in primary testing. The initial report from the ATS of the drug ingredients is still pending.
ATS sources told Mirror that there are several chains of drug dealers active at the moment and suppliers use different networks at different times. The ATS is investigating cases based on sample patterns, among other angles.