Irish National Apprehended at Sri Lanka Airport with Hashish and Kush
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On tuesday, January 21st, a dramatic drug bust unfolded at Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake. An irish national traveling through the airport was apprehended by officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) after being found in possession of a significant amount of narcotics.
Acting on a tip-off, the PNB launched a meticulously planned operation. During a search, authorities uncovered one kilo and 370 grams of hashish and 908 grams of kush cannabis belonging to the Irish suspect. The daderana.lk news site reported that further investigations are being conducted by the Police Narcotics Bureau.
Kush, a relatively new drug, has been causing widespread concern, especially in West Africa, where it has ravaged communities. In Sierra Leone, for example, the drug’s impact has been devastating, with an estimated dozen fatalities each week and thousands more hospitalized. According to a report from The Conversation,a non-profit journalism project dedicated to investigative reporting,kush is primarily consumed by young men between the ages of 18 and 25.
“It causes people to fall asleep while walking, to fall over, to bang their heads against hard surfaces and to walk into moving traffic,”
The Dangers of Kush: A Growing Crisis in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is facing a disturbing trend: the proliferation of a potent drug cocktail known as “Kush.” Unlike its namesake found in the United States, this substance is a perilous mix of cannabis, fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde, and, according to some, ground human bones.
“Kush in Sierra Leone is quite different,” reports indicate. “It is a mixture of cannabis, fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde and – according to some – ground down human bones.” While cannabis cultivation is common in Sierra Leone, the fentanyl is believed to originate from clandestine laboratories in china, where it’s illegally manufactured and shipped to West Africa.
The inclusion of ground human bones remains shrouded in mystery. “There is no definitive answer” about the veracity of this claim, the source, or the reasoning behind it, if true. Some speculate that grave robbers provide the bones, but concrete evidence remains elusive.
Kush’s accessibility fuels its alarming spread. the drug is reportedly found in neighboring Guinea and Liberia, with porous land borders facilitating drug trafficking. This dangerous substance, costing around five leones (20 UK pence) per joint, is consumed in quantities of up to 40 joints per day. In a country where the annual income per capita hovers around £500, this represents a staggering financial burden.
The effects of Kush vary greatly depending on the user and the drug’s composition. Users may experience euphoria, relaxation, and altered states of consciousness. However, the potent mix of substances poses significant health risks, underscoring the urgency for intervention and awareness.
The rise of Kush in Sierra leone highlights a pressing public health crisis. Addressing this issue requires a multi-pronged approach, including tackling drug trafficking, raising awareness about the dangers of Kush, and providing support for those struggling with addiction.
A Growing Concern: Polydrug Mixtures
The world of drugs is increasingly complex, with users often combining multiple substances for varying effects. This practice, known as polydrug use, presents significant challenges for individuals, families, and society at large.
The potent opioid fentanyl, known for inducing euphoria and sleepiness, is just one example of a substance increasingly mixed with others. Tramadol, another opioid but less powerful than fentanyl, is often combined with other drugs, leading to a disconnected and drowsy state for users. The dangers of these mixtures are manifold, including the risk of self-injury, addiction, and the unpredictable interactions between different substances.
Financial constraints often fuel polydrug use, as individuals struggling with addiction may turn to prostitution or criminal activity to afford their next fix.
Forensic scientists are increasingly encountering complex drug mixtures, with “Kush,” a polydrug combination, being a prominent example, according to *the Conversation*.
Another troubling example is “nyaope,” also known as “whoonga,” prevalent in South Africa. This mixture combines tobacco, cannabis, heroin, and even antiretroviral drugs used to treat AIDS, some of which have hallucinogenic effects.As reported by *the Conversation*, “This time the tobacco and cannabis are mixed with heroin and antiretroviral drugs used to treat Aids, some of which are hallucinogenic.” These dangerous concoctions highlight the urgent need for education, prevention, and treatment strategies to address the growing problem of polydrug use.
what specific public health campaigns coudl be effective in educating young people in West Africa about the dangers of kush?
Archyde News Exclusive Interview: A conversation with Dr. Aisha Khan, Expert in Substance Abuse and Public health
archyde (A): Dr. Khan,thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. You’ve been closely following the spread of a new drug threat, kush, particularly in West Africa. Could you tell our readers more about this drug?
Dr.Aisha Khan (AK): Thank you for having me. Kush has indeed become a meaningful concern, particularly in countries like Sierra Leone. It’s a mixture of cannabis, fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde, and reportedly, ground human bones. The cannabis component is locally sourced, but the fentanyl is believed to be illegally manufactured in China and shipped to West Africa.
A: That’s alarming. How is this drug affecting the youth in countries like Sierra Leone?
AK: The impact has been devastating. It’s primarily consumed by young men between the ages of 18 and 25. kush causes people to lose consciousness while walking, leading to injuries from falling or colliding with objects, and even walking into moving traffic. The combination of these powerful substances puts users at high risk of serious injury or death. We’re seeing an estimated dozen fatalities each week, with thousands more hospitalized.
A: We recently reported on an Irish national being apprehended at Sri Lanka’s airport with kush. How concerning is it that this drug is spreading beyond West Africa?
AK: It’s deeply concerning.The fact that kush is turning up at airports indicates that international drug trafficking networks are involved. This could lead to a global spreading of the drug. The Sri Lanka bust shows that no region is immune.
A: What makes this drug so risky compared to other illegal substances?
AK: The combination of substances in kush is what makes it so dangerous. Fentanyl is extremely potent and can cause respiratory depression, even in small amounts. Tramadol is a powerful opioid, and formaldehyde is a toxic chemical used to preserve deceased organisms. The ground human bones, if indeed present, only add to the danger and the utter disregard for human life by those producing this drug.
A: What needs to be done to combat this threat?
AK: A multi-pronged approach is needed. Firstly, law enforcement agencies worldwide need to collaborate more effectively to disrupt the trafficking networks. Secondly, public health campaigns are crucial to educate people, especially the youth, about the dangers of kush. Lastly,countries need to strengthen thier drug policies and invest in rehabilitation services for those addicted. This is a global health security issue that requires a global response.
A: Dr. Khan, thank you for your insights. We greatly appreciate your time and expertise.
AK: You’re welcome.It’s significant to raise awareness about this growing threat.
