Police: Opium-based drug emerging threat

CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Two people were arrested in connection with an opium-based drug that police in Calgary, Alberta, warn is a growing and deadly threat.

Calgary police said a middle-age man and woman running a convenience store were arrested Wednesday after undercover officers purchased a drug known as doda, the Calgary Sun reported.

The drug is made from ground up seeds and pods from opium poppies and originated in East India and Afghanistan. The powder is stirred into boiling water to make a tea and give the user an initial "rush" followed by a sense of calm, akin to morphine and opium, the report said.

Staff Sgt. Darren Cave said apart from being addictive, legally it is "no different than selling or buying crack cocaine."

During the arrests, police seized about 120 pounds of opium poppies and 25 pounds of the ground doda and $10,000 in cash, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Detective Doug Hudasen told a news conference the drug posed a major threat of becoming mainstream.

"I think it's a wake up call for everybody. It's here and it's an emerging trend," he said.

Last September, Canada Border Services in Calgary seized more than seven tons of opium pods from two trucks, the Sun said.