NCB nabs three city youths for selling 'magic mushrooms'

Kolkata: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested three youths, including a DJ and two BBA graduates, for selling hallucinogenic 'magic mushrooms'. The trio was arrested during raids held at posh areas including Alipore and Bhowanipore in South Kolkata.

This is the first case where recovery of magic mushroom has taken place in the eastern part of the country.

Acting on a tip off, NCB officers had conducted raids at different places in the southern fringes of the city and arrested DJ Deep Chakraborty, Rahul (name changed) and his cousin Rajeev (name changed). Both Rahul and Rajeev are BBA graduates.

After preliminary investigation, NCB officers suspect that Rahul was the kingpin and he used to procure the highly expensive hallucinogenic substance from abroad. Rajeev used to assist Rahul in the entire operation. Deep, being a DJ, had access to parties where people who can afford such expensive drugs, visit frequently. So, his work was to supply the magic mushrooms to the buyers.

Interestingly, there was no cash transaction involved in buying the hallucinogenic substance from Rahul, as the racket used to carry out the entire deal using a software in their cell phones.

With the use of the software, buyers used to make the payment in bitcoins.

At the same time, the investigating officers came to know that Rahul and the other two had been running the racket since mid 2017.

NCB officers are trying to ascertain whether the accused had managed to involve any others in the racket.

Moreover, since all the transactions had taken place through bitcoins, the investigating officers are also trying to assess the total quantum of deals that had taken place since mid 2017.

According to investigating officers, magic mushroom grows in hills in US and Africa.

The hallucinogenic substance is then extracted after it is dried. Use of the hallucinogenic substance is a new trend being seen in Kolkata.

The investigating officers are also getting a connection with Netherlands, regarding the recovery of magic mushroom in Kolkata. LSD and MDMA were also found in possession of the accused, apart from magic mushrooms.

It may be recalled that in December 2017, the bureau had arrested another DJ and two management students from South Kolkata and a huge cache of Malana hashish and LSD was recovered from them.