'Success of party depends on drugs'

Nishchith Lalvani arrested with hashish worth Rs 1 lakh last week tells Crime Branch that music and narcotics were his claim to fameu00a0

The arrest of disc jockey Nishchith Lalvani (23), on charges of drug peddling on Thursday has opened a can of worms, and the Central Crime Branch is scrutinising other disc jockeys in the city for suspected links to an inter-state drug racket.

Lalvani, who was nabbed with 350 grams of hashish worth Rs 1 lakh on his person at Ranka Apartments on Lalbaug Road, told officials of the Crime Branch that he wanted to be a famous DJ through his music and drugs.

Confessing to the police, Lalvani said, "The success of any western music party depends on narcotics."

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police R Lakshman, who is investigating the case, his statement has suggested the involvement of other DJs in the city.

"We are tracing his mobile records for contacts of his accomplices and customers. He may be linked to other peddlers," said a police officer.

Goa connection

Lalvani had bought the hashish from a drug peddler named Vincent in Goa. In his statement, he said Goa is the epicentre of drug trafficking due to the presence of many foreigners.

"A search for Vincent is on, but it is possible that Lalvani may have lied to mislead us," said Lakshman.

Records show that Lalvani visited many states, including Delhi, Goa, and even went to Nepal.

"Lalvani's link to Rodney Mathias, an event manager and an alleged drug peddler, who died on August 31 under the influence of drugs, proves he is part of a bigger drug-peddling network," added Lakshman.

Narcotics watch
In therapeutic doses, a narcotic can diminish sensory impulses, especially pain, in the brain. In large doses it causes stupor (condition of insensibility), coma or convulsions.
Drugs that can be classified as narcotics include:
>>Cannabis preparations like bhang, ganja and charas
>>Opium and opium alkaloids like morphine
>>Coca alkaloids like cocaine
>>Synthetic narcotic drugs like pethidine

350 grams
The quantity of hashish Nishchith Lalvani allegedly bought for Rs 1 lakh