Kolkata: 2 collegians held with 25 lakh drugs from club

KOLKATA: The Special Task Force of Kolkata Police has nabbed two second-year students of a south Kolkata college with MDMA (Ecstasy) party drugs worth Rs 25 lakh. The raid was conducted in a club at Tiljala off EM Bypass-Park Circus Connector on Wednesday night. Cops said the drugs were slated to be consumed at parties to be organised by the contacts of the accused in Kolkata.
Following a tip-off, STF officers raided the club and intercepted the two, Vikas Tiwari (21), a resident of Jessore Road near Salt Lake and Aryaman Poddar (20), a resident of New Town. "During the raid carried out around 10.20pm, we seized a polythene packet containing MDMA tablets weighing about 245gm. We seized the drugs under the NDPS Act. The two were arrested," said joint CP (STF) Solomon V Nesakumar.

The accused were produced before the NDPS Court on Thursday with a prayer for police custody.
Talking to TOI, the club management said they were shocked by the incident. "This was an act of two criminals who had no links with the club. It is not possible to check every patron and what they are bringing with them. Ever since Tuesday night, we have been bombarded with calls from patrons. We have beefed up security and made it mandatory for the visitors to sign a register and provide their contact details. CCTV coverage is also being expanded," said a member of the club. In the past five years, various agencies have made major hauls of ecstasy from the eastern zone.
"At present, this contraband is gaining popularity. The reasons are simple - the cost of 1g of cocaine has gone up as compared to LSD and MDMA. The drug also gives a high within 45 minutes. We need to curtail these party drugs if we plan to stop youths from getting attracted to rave parties," said an officer.