“Based on the interrogation of the eight persons arrested by the Special Cell and the special input received by the team, it has been revealed that several pubs, malls and hotels have become a safe haven for drug addicts. We have received information that several under-ground parties in pubs, malls and residences of a few pubs owner in Delhi’s outskirts, posh colonies and NCR are arranged for the addicts,” said a highly-placed source in Special Cell.
Apart from providing the space illegally after the permitted time, these pub-owners are also facilitating the customers with drugs, the source added. These days, ‘meow-meow’, also known as ‘M-Cat’, ‘White Magic’ and ‘Drone’, basically mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant drug of the amphetamine and cathinone classes comes in the form of tablets or powder, which addicts can swallow, snort or inject and has become a popular drug among the youth. This is because of its comparative low cost than cocaine. The meow-meow drug produces similar effects to MDMA, amphetamines and cocaine.
“Along with the names of pubs owners, several diplomats and their immediate families are also under scanner. They are involved in organising underground after-parties in Delhi-NCR with thriving electronic music caged with sound-proof walls with minimum entry fees of Rs 200,” added the source.
Reacting to it, senior officials of the Special Cell confirmed the information and said: “We are waiting for the right time so that we can gather sufficient evidences and videos before conducting raids. But we are keeping a tight vigil on their activities.” Speaking to Millennium Post, a drug-addict, requesting anonymity said: “Meow-Meow, is flowing in the city. And the nighttime is perhaps the safest hour when one can go wild and yet go unnoticed. House parties that are mostly sponsored by pub owners who have a tie-up with peddlers, are safe heavens to do drugs.”
Another 32-year-old addict, requesting anonymity, who often attends such rave parties allegedly to ‘de-stress’ himself said: “The students of high-profile schools and reputed colleges are getting high.
These days it’s not grass; it’s Meow Meow that is doing the rounds! In some cases school children are used as mules–carriers for supplying drugs.”
A senior official added: “Since mephedrone also has medicinal values and is used as an anaesthetic, it is available at different pharmacy shops. The popularity of internet pharmacy has made the procurement of the recreational drugs easier and lessened the addicts’ dependence on peddlers, posing a challenge to the law enforcement agencies. Orders are placed online and the consignment, hiding behind the names of plant fertilisers, is delivered at doorstep.”
Meanwhile, Delhi Police Special Cell has intimidated the Customs at the Delhi Airport as the involvement of a Custom Inspector in the recent seizure suggests that it could be a part of the 500 kg of meow-meow consignment that was seized by DRI in February last year.