New Delhi: In a shocking development, the Delhi Police have intercepted a significant shipment of mescaline, a psychedelic drug previously unknown in the city. This marks the first time mescaline has been detected in New Delhi, raising alarms about its potential impact.Action takenOn August 14, 2024, authorities arrested Nigerian national Faith Rachel in a raid conducted in Mehrauli, Delhi. Rachel was apprehended with 3.87 kilograms of mescaline, a substance valued at approximately Rs 15 crore on the international market. The mescaline was cleverly concealed within fish products and branded toffee packaging in her trolley bag.Drug characteristicsMescaline is a natural psychedelic derived from the button-shaped Peyote cactus of Mexico and the San Pedro cactus of Peru and Ecuador. It is also present in various other cacti and bean plants from the Cactaceae and Fabaceae families. Known for its hallucinogenic effects, mescaline alters perception, including thought processes, sense of time, and emotions. It can be consumed in several forms, including liquids, tablets, powders, or capsules.Ongoing investigationThe Delhi Police had been tracking a global drug trafficking network involved in smuggling mescaline into Delhi. This investigation, which began in April 2024, led to a meticulous four-month operation by the Special Cell. Their efforts culminated in the arrest of Rachel and the confiscation of the large mescaline shipment.Background on the Arrested IndividualFaith Rachel arrived in India on a medical visa in August 2022. The arrest highlights ongoing concerns about international drug trafficking operations targeting Indian cities.
