KOCHI: The excise department will seek the help of Interpol in the investigation connected with the seizure of Rs 30 crore worth ecstasy drug (MDMA) from Nedumbassery a few days ago. Speaking to reporters in Kochi on Saturday, excise commissioner Rishiraj Singh said the probe needed to be extended to global and national levels. Singh, however, said that the MDMA smuggling had no extremist links. “More persons are involved in the smuggling,” he said.
He also said that the excise department would coordinate the CISF and Airport Authority of India to check smuggling in drugs. Keralites working abroad are also part of the network. The system of arranging visiting visa for facilitating smuggling has also been observed. Since most of the communication has been conducted using internet phone tracking the telephone calls is difficult, he added.
Currently, the investigation is progressing mainly based on information received secretly. He also said that consumption of prescription-based drugs for intoxication had shown an uptrend. The Narcotic Control Bureau and Drug Control Bureau along with excise department needed to show more vigilance in the matter. Another worrying factor is growing ganja plants in urban areas had become a trend. He is also worried about the shortage of staff in the excise department. Although demand has been put forward to increase the staff strength, the budget remained silent on it.
