Bengaluru, 25 June

The City police have arrested 34 foreign drug peddlers in the first five months of 2024, a significant decrease from the 37 and 59 arrested in the same period in 2023 and 2022, respectively. This decline is attributed to the arrest of Rengara Paul, the kingpin of international drug peddlers in the City.

Most of the arrested peddlers entered the City on student or business visas and allegedly overstayed their visas to engage in drug trafficking. City Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) data shows 209 cases registered and 293 drug peddlers arrested in the first five months of 2024, compared to 386 cases and 550 arrests in 2023.

However, authorities are concerned about a rise in domestic production of synthetic drugs using small-scale setups. Methamphetamine(meth), a popular drug, is particularly troublesome because its ingredients can be extracted from over-the-counter cold medicines, making it difficult to track bulk purchases.

A police officer told Salar News that there was an increase in drug sales among teenagers, with substances like marijuana, MDMA, hashish oil, and e-cigarettes becoming more accessible. At least 10  students from every university in the City are reportedly involved in some form of drug use, and CCB narcotics officials observed a rise in house parties specifically organised for drug consumption.

NIMHANS, a mental health institute, receives around ten teenagers for drug abuse treatment every month.  "I see at least five to six parents bringing in their children for drug addiction, but most cases involve teenagers caught using drugs rather than being addicted," said Santhosh Mallikarjun, Administrator at NIMHANS' Drug De-addiction centre cell.

"Ganja is a common problem. We also hear about teenagers who are influenced by peers or addicted to sniffing substances like glue, nail polish, and petrol, which contain benzene," he said.

Police to dispose of seized drugs worth Rs 38.81 crore 

City Police will dispose of psychotropic and narcotic substances worth over Rs 38.81 crore on Wednesday in Dobbaspet, to mark International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

In the last five months alone, the police have seized MDMA crystals, cocaine, ganja and hashish oil from the City limits.

The value of the destroyed drugs has risen from Rs 25.6 crore in 2023 to Rs 38.81 crore this year. This increase is allegedly due to a rise in the sale of over-the-counter drugs among teenagers and adults.  Ganja, MDMA and hashish oil are now reportedly easily accessible in the City. Central Crime Branch (CCB) narcotics officials have also observed an increasing trend of house parties organised specifically for drug consumption. -Salar News