‘Chitta’ peddling, consumption on rise

SHIMLA: Smuggling and consumption of chitta is on the rise in the hill state with drug peddlers are procuring it from Delhi and parts of Punjab

Updated At : 05:35 AM Jul 26, 2018 IST

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 25

Smuggling and consumption of “chitta” is on the rise in the hill state, with drug peddlers are procuring it from Delhi and parts of Punjab.

“Investigations into different cases revealed that drug peddlers from the state are procuring “chitta” from Delhi, mainly from Nigerians, and parts of Punjab,” said Shimla SP Omapati Jamwal.

He added that Delhi was the hub of “chitta”, from where it was supplied to various parts of the country, including Punjab. Mostly, Nigerians are involved in illegal drug trade.

The consumption of “chitta”, a semi-synthetic intoxicant, has increased and the policemen are targeting consumers and peddlers. As a result, there is an increase in number of cases registered. The total number of cases involving use or smuggling of “chitta” registered by the police increased from five last year to 24 during the first six months of 2018 in Shimla district, Jamwal added.

The intoxicant, which is 40 per cent cheaper as compared to heroin, is highly addictive. “Local drug peddlers are involving themselves in “chitta” smuggling as the profit margin is more,” sources in the Police Department said.

The Shimla police had arrested a Nigerian, Kra Basile, from Delhi for alleged involvement in peddling drugs to Shimla, nearly two weeks back and recovered 25.46 gm of “chitta” from his possession. An FIR was registered against him under Sections 21-29 of the NDPS Act at the Dhalli police station.

The accused was involved in the supply of “chitta” to several parts of the district for some time and his name had appeared during the questioning of some local youths allegedly arrested with “chitta”.

During investigations, the accused reportedly revealed that he was part of the supply chain and the main dealer was not known to him. The demand for drugs was conveyed to him and time and place for transaction were fixed. Mobile phones were not used for the deals. The focus of police investigations is on the kingpin.

What is ‘chitta’

‘Chitta’ (diacetylmorphine) is a semi-synthetic opioid, mainly derived from heroin. It is very addictive and the consumption increases with the passage of time. Drug overdose can result in death.