Bengaluru 26 Nov

Ahead of the New Year celebrations, Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) is cracking the whip on drugged driving. Until now, errant riders and drivers were checked and booked for drunk driving. Now, police will test those performing wheelies, drag races and those involved in road accidents for drug abuse, besides alcohol.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda told Salar News on Tuesday that this measure is to deter substance abuse and reckless driving.

He said that high-risk areas, including MG Road, Brigade Road, and Church Street, will see heightened surveillance, with over 1,200 CCTV cameras being deployed to monitor traffic and ensure safety during the New Year celebrations. Additionally, the police have activated anti-narcotics squads to conduct targeted raids at key supply hubs and transit points across Bengaluru.

"Anti-narcotics squads are conducting raids in various parts of the city, focusing on the supply chain and distribution points," Dayananda said, urging the public to report any suspicious activity. He added that awareness campaigns are being ramped up to educate citizens about the legal and social consequences of drug use.

In a recent operation, Central Crime Branch (CCB) Anti-Narcotics Squad arrested two individuals involved in drug peddling. One of the suspects, a native of Odisha, was found with 10.37 kg of ganja, worth approximately Rs 7.5 lakh, stored in a shed near an apartment in Kariyammana Agrahara. Another individual, from West Bengal, was arrested in Sampigehalli with 4 kg of ganja, which he had been sourcing from his contacts in his home state.

Dayananda explained that the arrested suspects had been stockpiling the drugs with the intent to sell them at higher prices during the New Year celebrations. "Our officers are working tirelessly to ensure a safe and drug-free New Year’s Eve," he added. -Salar News