Bengaluru: Six arrested in separate drug cases, narcotics worth ₹14.94 lakh seized

In a coordinated crackdown on drug trafficking, Bengaluru police have arrested six persons, including three from other states, in separate operations conducted by the Bommanahalli, City Market, D.J. Halli, and Baiyappanahalli police stations. The raids led to the seizure of 25.37 kg of ganja, 20 grams of MDMA, and 7 grams of hydro ganja.

The seized narcotics have an estimated value of ₹14.94 lakh, with a potential market value pegged at ₹29.88 lakh. The difference reflects the typical street-level pricing after dilution and distribution, according to law enforcement sources.

Acting on credible intelligence received from informants about the sale of narcotic substances within their respective jurisdictions, police registered cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and conducted targeted raids. The operations were carried out on different dates, with each police team acting independently.

The six accused were apprehended separately, with three of them identified as residents of other states. Their names have not been released pending further investigation. Police said the arrests were made without incident, and the accused were produced before judicial authorities on the same or subsequent days.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to procuring narcotic substances from sources both within and outside Karnataka, and selling them to customers in Bengaluru, including college students. Police have not independently verified these statements, which remain subject to legal scrutiny.

Investigators are currently working to identify and trace the alleged suppliers who provided the narcotics to the arrested individuals. The police have also initiated steps to examine phone records and financial transactions to establish the supply chain. Further investigation is underway, and more arrests are expected.

All six accused have been remanded to judicial custody as per court orders. The NDPS Act provides for stringent penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for those convicted of drug trafficking and possession. The act also allows for the attachment of properties acquired through illegal drug trade.

Bengaluru has witnessed a series of drug-related arrests in recent months, with police intensifying efforts to curb the supply of narcotics to educational institutions and urban localities. The latest crackdown underscores the ongoing battle against substance abuse, which authorities say poses a significant challenge to public health and safety.

Local residents and civic groups have welcomed the police action but have called for more rehabilitation and awareness programmes to address the root causes of drug addiction. Police have urged the public to report any suspicious activities through their helplines, assuring that informants' identities will be protected.