Drug soaked paper strips finding its way to Hyderabad

Drug traffickers in Hyderabad are turning to smuggling drug-soaked paper strips, infused with synthetic substances like fentanyl and cannabinoids. Priced up to ₹2 lakh for a tiny square, these strips are hard to detect and easy to transport discreetly.

Hyderabad: With law enforcement agencies maintaining a tight vigil on drug networks, the latter are exploring new ways to provide the illicit material to their customers in the city.

The latest addition to the list of drugs made available in the city are the ‘Drug Soaked Paper Strips’, reportedly being smuggled into the country from far off countries.

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Drug Soaked Paper, refers to a paper that has been created by spraying or soaking liquid formulation of various drugs that include synthetic cannabinoids, fentanyl, suboxone and other drugs. It is a new way of transferring the drugs without detection or attracting attention of drug law enforcement agencies.

An official working with an agency said that the drug soaked paper strips are available in foreign countries and usually smuggled into prisons. The strip can be smoked or ingested. “A 2 cm x 2 cm sheet is priced between Rs.1 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh in the city. The price varies depending upon the type of drug infused in the sheet. Due to strict watch on drug peddlers and consumers, the drug paper strips are finding their way into the city as it cannot be detected easily,” said the official.

A person who has knowledge about the illicit trade said the paper can be easily concealed in tissue paper and visiting card boxes in cars and transported easily from the seller to the consumer.

“It can be kept in an envelope and dispatched through registered and speed post as regular mail as well,” said the person.

It is learnt, some people are travelling to foreign countries to buy it and in return selling it to their close circles to avoid coming under surveillance.