The hallucinogenic drug called lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is being smuggled into Bangladesh from the Netherlands using the postal service for the last four years. A drug syndicate started to smuggle LSD blotting paper by stashing those inside books as they look like stamps or colourful paper. Detective Branch of police said at least three syndicates are involved in selling the drug in Bangladesh. They found this information during their probe into the death of Dhaka University student Hafizur Rahman, who reportedly slit his own throat after taking LSD on the campus on May 15.
Law enforcers arrested three friends of Hafizur and recovered 200 LSD blotting papers from them. The trio was involved in an LSD selling syndicate. After buying LSD blotting papers for Tk 800-1,000 each from the Netherlands, the syndicate used to sell those for Tk 3,000 to Tk 5,000 each. Upon receiving an order for LSD either through social media or an online messaging application, narcotics dealers used to deliver the drug to the buyers’ addresses. They received cash on delivery. According to officials, the DB has so far found around 650 users who collect LSD from the arrestees. Detectives have prepared a list of the users. The syndicates carried LSD blotting papers inside books or magazines to dodge the law enforcers. The four-member syndicate received orders through a Facebook group and a messaging app. The seizure of 200 pieces of LSD blotting paper on Wednesday is not the first such instance. On July 15, 2019, the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) had seized 46 pieces of LSD blotting paper and arrested two people from the capital’s Kafrul.
LSD does not appear to be addictive. Its frequent use can create an acute tolerance, requiring much larger doses of intake to feel an effect. Adverse psychiatric reactions are possible, such as anxiety, paranoia, and delusions. Distressing flashbacks might occur in spite of no further use, a condition called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder. Death as a result of LSD overdose is virtually unknown; on extremely rare occasions, however, death can be the result of accidents or reckless behaviour. The administration should uncover the entire network and make the young generation aware of the adverse impact of the drug.
