Bengaluru : The Bengaluru police have escalated their war on drugs, arresting 67 individuals, including three foreigners, last month for their involvement in drug peddling. City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, in a statement on Tuesday, underscored the police’s zero-tolerance policy towards drug-related crimes, pledging that raids will continue across the city to identify and apprehend offenders.

40 Drug Cases Registered Under NDPS Act

In September, Bengaluru police, including the Crime Branch and all city divisions, detected 40 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Commissioner Dayananda highlighted that 67 individuals, three of whom are foreign nationals, were arrested in connection with these cases. The arrests mark a significant push in the city’s ongoing efforts to eradicate drug-related activities.

Major Drug Hauls in September

The police seized a variety of narcotics during their operations, including:

  • 170 kg of ganja
  •  2 kg of opium
  • 13 grams of cocaine
  •  372 grams of MDMA (commonly known as “Ecstasy”)
  •  998 Ecstasy tablets

Commissioner Dayananda affirmed that the police would maintain their relentless approach, conducting daily raids across all parts of Bengaluru to target drug dealers and seize their contraband.

Deportation of Foreign Nationals Involved in Drug Peddling

Dayananda also pointed out the significant role that foreign nationals have played in drug peddling within the city. In 2024 alone, approximately 80 foreigners involved in drug-related activities have been deported from Bengaluru. “Many of the foreigners who are indulging in drug peddling in Bengaluru city, we have been deporting them also,” Dayananda said, stressing the city’s proactive measures against international involvement in the drug trade.

Crackdown on Drug Supply Chains

The commissioner further discussed the efforts to trace the origin of the drugs being distributed in Bengaluru. One notable case involved a large seizure of 28 kg of ganja in the HSR Layout area. Investigations revealed that the drugs were being supplied from Tamil Nadu. “We are trying to identify the main supplier in Tamil Nadu and how the drugs are being transported,” Dayananda added, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing, with the aim of dismantling the entire supply network.

Zero Tolerance and Ongoing Investigations

Commissioner Dayananda reiterated the Bengaluru police’s commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards drug peddling, transport, and possession. The crackdown on drug activity is part of a broader effort to rid the city of narcotics and make Bengaluru safer for its residents. Investigations continue to trace the origins of the drugs and apprehend those involved in larger distribution networks.

The police’s intensified efforts have been met with support from the public, as authorities work to disrupt the local drug trade and bring those responsible to justice.