Pak pumps diluted heroin into Punjab, triggers fear

CHANDIGARH: The potency of heroin drilled into Punjab through the border shared with Pakistan has seen a 43 per cent dip in 2014, to nearly one-fourth or around 12 per cent in 2016. However, this isn't good news. Experts believe smugglers will only dilute heroin if they are assured of a large market. Narcotics Control Bureau zonal director Kaustubh Sharma said the decline in purity of heroin from Pakistan being seized in Punjab has been a steady one. Pure heroin content in every kg caught in 2013 used to be 43 to 44 per cent. It went down to 23 per cent in 2015. Latest seizures have potency of barely 11 to 12 per cent. Sharma said, "It could be that smugglers are trying to make more money and at the same time, less potent drug would probably cause fewer overdose deaths and draw less attention."