Police in Delta, B.C., have seized more than 36,000 poppy pods they believe were intended to be ground into the opiate doda.
The pods were packed into 132 boxes and seized from a truck in the 8200-block of 120 St., according to Sgt. Sharlene Brooks. The truck was in transit at the time of the bust.
The estimated street value of the seizure is $760,000.
No one has been arrested in connection with the bust, and Brooks told ctvbc.ca that the driver of the truck is not considered a suspect.
"We go where the evidence leads us. The investigation is still active and ongoing," she said.
She added that the seizure was made as part of an ongoing investigation into doda production.
Doda is often used to make a tea that is known to give the user a jolt of energy before eventually making them tired.
Because the drug is an opiate, addiction to doda can be acute and can require a lengthy withdrawal program. Recovery can include tremors, panic attacks, vomiting, stomach cramps and loss of appetite.
It is recognized as a major substance-abuse problem in B.C.'s South Asian community, often used by truckers, taxi drivers and construction workers to keep alert during long shifts.
