THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The rate of drug usage in the state is so shocking that it might even surpass Punjab, the state with the highest rate of drug usage. Irrespective of urban and rural areas, drug worth crores of money are available in plenty across the state.

The drugs are mainly smuggled through private buses and trains. 100 kilograms of marijuana was caught on Friday alone. In the last three days, 5000 kilograms of illegal tobacco products were caught. Excise Commissioner Rishiraj Singh, while talking to Keralakaumudi said that cocaine products worth Rs 1000 crores were seized in the last two years. However, even one-fifth of the actual quantity is not getting caught.

Recent development in the state is further proof that the international drug mafia is active in Kerala. In the last three weeks, three people have been killed by drug peddling groups. Kidnapping and assaults are on the high. Drugs are also smuggled into Kerala through the other state laborers. Even students are used as carriers. Kochi is the biggest market in the state for drug products and is also the third biggest in the country behind Amritsar and Mumbai.

Youth are being made into criminals through drug usage. They are then pushed into doing brutal murders.

Most dangerous drugs:

Cocaine

The main consumers are in the IT field, Cinema and goons. Cocaine reaches the state from the Netherlands, South Africa, Portugal, and the Philippines. There are even online sites for buying cocaine.

Methtrax

A kilogram of methtrax costs Rs One crore. Afghanistan and Bangladesh are the main sources. On one time usage, a person will be addicted for life.

Hashish

Five grams costs Rs 1000. It is sold mainly at schools and colleges.

Ephedrine

It has also been used for asthma and narcolepsy. Though banned it is a drug that costs over Rs 3 lakhs for one kilogram.