The Dark Side of Celebrity Life: Why Addiction and Drugs Persist Among Stars
When everyone including law enforcement knows that the NCB (National Crime Branch) is on the prowl, why are some celebrities still keeping drugs in their house and risking arrest instead of getting rid of them?
Why do celebrities possess drugs for self-consumption or to sell, making this risky situation even more complex? The over-confidence associated with their celebrity status is probably making them reckless a recipe for disaster. In the dark and often obscured world of Bollywood, these self-proclaimed self-important individuals are putting their reputation and careers at risk.
The Economics of Cocaine Imports and Trade
Any addict, especially in a country with strict drug laws like India, keeps a stock of their daily dose. This stock is so essential that addicts, under extreme duress, might even be tempted to commit crimes for money. Why do celebrities risk the same fate, hiding their illegal substance?
No Privacy in Bollywood
Ironically, in the world of Bollywood, everyone wears a mask in the light to hide ugly truths. Without the knowledge or judgment of the public, celebrities can pretend not to be addicted or involved in the drug trade, thinking, ldquo;Nobody knows about me.rdquo; Until law enforcement intervenes, hiding this information can be relatively easy.
The Unseen Cocaine Trade
The cocaine trade starts with the coca plant, a seemingly innocent plant in its natural form. Here, cocaleros (those who work with coca leaves) play a critical role:
The coca leaves are harvested, and 375 kilograms yield just 2.5 kilograms of paste when processed. In turn, this paste produces 1 kilogram of regular cocaine in the familiar form of a white powder.
More than 600 to 800 tons are produced each year, with half going to the USA and half to Europe. This is a massive amount, and the economic implications are staggering. For instance, 1000 grams of weak cocaine may cost as much as 7000 INR, a price that only a select few can afford.
The economics of cocaine provide a clear picture of the stark disparity between the cost of raw materials and the final retail price. As the drug travels from the source, which is often South America, the cost to the end-user skyrockets. The purity of cocaine often gets diluted multiple times to suit the buyer, at a hugely inflated price point.
Why Celebrities Keep Their Drugs?
Celebrities, despite the high-profile nature of their lives, often struggle with the same addictions that affect the general population. However, the scale and consequences of their addiction are magnitudes higher due to their public standing.
Coca leaves can be detected by dogs due to their characteristic odor, particularly those that are processed into cocaine. However, hidden substances like methamphetamine or LSD are more difficult to detect, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. In their struggle to manage their addiction, celebrities often find that they can't afford or don't want to get rid of their stash, viewing it as a necessary part of their lifestyle like a regular household item like toothpaste.
The massive economic disparity in the cocaine trade means that the risk of arrest is often outweighed by the perceived necessity of maintaining a drug supply. From a peasant in a Bolivian coca field to a high-end user in Hollywood, the fate of the druggie-celebrity is full of contradiction and danger.