Luxury cars or drugmobiles?

Narcotics officials say drugs are now being smuggled in SUVs and luxury sedans to avoid suspicion and allow the mafia to cash in on the World Cup fever

Narcotics officials say drugs are now being smuggled in SUVs and luxury sedans to avoid suspicion and allow the mafia to cash in on the World Cup fever

WITH more and more people wanting a drug-induced high in the World Cup season and the Anti-Narcotic Cell (ANC) stepping up vigilance, drug cartels in the city have taken to smuggling drugs in high-end cars to escape suspicion.


Officials say cartels prefer high-end cars as they can stash the drugs in the upholstery or in the additional crevices they have compared to low-cost cars

While SUVs are the preferred option owing to the extra room and crevices they offer, cartels aren't shying away from stashing drugs in luxury sedans like BMWs and Mercedes either.

"Narcotics are stashed in the upholstery and other crevices of the high-end cars, which are then driven by youngsters who look well-off to avoid suspicion.

We have seized 17 vehicles engaged in smuggling drugs in the last 15 months and 12 of those were luxury cars," said a senior ANC official.

He said these drugs then make their way to sports bars and pubs to cash in on the World Cup fever.

Most of the luxury cars used for drug smuggling have registration plates of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. The official added that they are now checking such cars thoroughly during nakabandis.

The ANC is also keeping a close watch on venues where private screenings of World Cup matches are held.

"All venues in which private screenings of cricket matches are held will be under close watch," confirmed Sunil Paraskar, deputy commissioner of police, ANC.

Colleges too

The ANC has also stepped up vigil outside colleges to ensure youngsters don't mix with the drug mafia to earn a quick buck. Regular awareness lectures are also being conducted in various city colleges.

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