Drug suppliers in the city have doped out a way to stay afloat and keep clients on a high amid a cash crunch triggered by the government's demonetisation drive. They are mixing grains of chocolate malt drinks into opium to cut costs and provide patrons a fresh flavour with Christmas and New Year celebrations just round the corner.

Sources say a colour resemblance allows peddlers to combine the two products apart from the fact that both contain sugar and gum. They can sell it for Rs 60,000-1 lakh a kilogram. Investigation agencies in the national capital region (NCR) say this is not the first time that drug addicts are experimenting with fusion of high-end drugs and eatables. Sources say youngsters frequently want to try something new and fresh concoctions often debut near the end of the year when drug supply and consumption go up.

Also, when a new user enters the world of drugs, party organisers who are illegally supplying narcotics, facilitate them with flavoured stimulants such as cocoa cocaine, opium mixed with Chinese food and concoctions of chocolate and drugs. Government agencies say supply of drugs in large quantities has been postponed because of demonetisation as dealers and clients are short of cash.

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THE UNTAMED UDTA PUNJAB

"Now, to cope with the situation, the organisers who have ordered raw opium and other high-end drugs are likely to opt for fusion of drugs with eatables," sources said. "This way the quantity of drugs will increase and the organisers will be able to satisfy more customers by advertising the drug as a fusion mix."

Authorities say recent cases point to increasingly regular contact between smugglers and militants and investigations have outlined an extensive network that appears to range across Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kuwait. Punjab in particular has emerged as a conduit for drugs from the terror-funding opium fields of Afghanistan to markets across Asia, Europe and elsewhere.

Quoting inputs from drug dealers, suppliers and consumers, a senior officer in narcotics department on condition of anonymity said, "Rave parties are being organised on the outskirts of the national Capital and a large number of clients have already enrolled. Special demand has been made to facilitate them with pocket-friendly drugs as they too are cashless. So, the dealers have joined hands with suppliers to introduce opium laced with chocolate."

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Rave parties, characterised by electronic-trance music, dancing and alcohol, are infamous for the rampant presence of drugs and are also called "acid house parties". These events have now become an essential part of celebrations, especially around New Year's Eve.

Cultivators and suppliers in rural parts too adulterate opium this way for more profits. The price of opium is around Rs 10 lakh per kilogram in the international market while in India, it is available for only Rs 1-1.5 lakh.

"Usually, to increase the weight of opium, cultivators combine it with chocolate malt drink mixes," said a source. "The colour resemblance and some similar ingredients are helpful." The concoction with 10% chocolate mix will give an addict the same kick that he gets from opium. The drug is usually smoked, but can also be eaten, added to drinks, or injected. Sources say most youngsters in India love to consume it in powder form. Drug dealers usually sell it as a powder, or as a sticky solid. Opium is usually smoked, because it hits the brain quicker.