The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has reportedly unearthed the international links of the alleged drug scandal involving actress Rhea Chakraborty, and other bollywood biggies said NCB Director Rakesh Asthana, following which the NCB Mumbai office caught fire where the entire research was being conducted.
While the NCB is working on tracing the backtrail from consumer to peddler to supplier to those controlling the trade, the emerging picture is one that threatens to roil Bollywood with past and present A-listers and others showing up on the radar of the agency.
While a key Amritsar link who is central to the investigation is expected to be summoned this week by NCB, the agency has sought the help of the US, UK, Canada and Australian drug enforcement agencies to unearth suppliers of cocaine to Mumbai.
According to information shared by associate agencies, at least 1,200 kilograms of cocaine landed in India in 2018, with 300 kilograms landing in Mumbai alone.
The number was discovered by a detailed investigation into a seizure of 55 kg of cocaine in Australia in June 2019; the same organization was behind both. NCB has already registered a case on the basis of the Australian report.
According to the NCB Chief, ‘curated marijuana buds’ sell for upto ₹8,00,000/kg in the international market. He added that the role of Rhea Chakraborty cannot be overlooked in the drug racket and drug peddlers cannot be pardoned.
Asthana emphasised that Bollywood stars are role model for the youth and it can have a bad influence on them. He informed that NCB has knowledge about the drug abuse in Bollywood parties and that the agency is currently gathering more evidence.
In the fire at NCB Mumbai headquarters, the loss of documents is currently not known and the authorities claimed it was due to ‘short-circuit’. The fire burned furniture, machinery and stationary although actual research will specify if it was deliberate or not.
