Bengaluru: The Bengaluru city police commissioner has sought a detailed clarification from the Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) regarding the methodology used to assess the value of narcotics seized during a recent drug factory bust in the city, questioning the publicly stated valuation of nearly Rs 56 crore claimed by the Maharashtra agency.
Senior police officials said the city police have formally written to the ANTF chief, asking for a comprehensive breakup of the valuation. This includes details on the stage of processing at which the narcotic substances were seized, their purity levels, the market rates applied, and whether the assessment was based on wholesale valuation or estimated street-level prices.
City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh emphasised that valuation of narcotics must follow uniform and nationally accepted standards, especially in cases involving inter-state coordination. “The valuation must follow standard parameters. We have asked the ANTF chief to share the calculations along with the technical basis for arriving at the final figure,” he said.
Questions over valuation methodology
Police sources indicated that the seized materials were allegedly found at different stages of processing, ranging from raw chemicals to semi-processed substances. According to preliminary assessments by Bengaluru police teams, the overall valuation could vary significantly depending on how the seized items were classified.
“If the material is treated as raw chemical or precursor substance, the value would be much lower. If it is assessed as a finished narcotic ready for retail distribution, the value increases sharply,” a senior officer explained. He added that clarity on purity percentage and intended end use is critical for arriving at a defensible valuation that can stand scrutiny during trial.
Bengaluru police officials expressed concern that inflated or poorly substantiated figures could weaken the prosecution’s case in court. “Any discrepancy in valuation without technical backing can be questioned by defence lawyers, which may ultimately affect the outcome of the case,” an officer said.
Concerns over attribution of the operation
Apart from valuation, the Bengaluru city police have also raised serious reservations over the Maharashtra ANTF projecting the operation as a standalone raid. Commissioner Singh said the operation involved extensive logistical, technical and operational support from the Bengaluru city police at multiple levels.
Senior officers of the Central Crime Branch (CCB), personnel from several local police stations and specialised technical teams were involved in intelligence development, reconnaissance, surveillance of suspects, coordination of logistics and execution of the raids. “This was not an isolated operation carried out by one agency. It involved close coordination and support from Bengaluru city police at multiple levels,” the commissioner stated.
Highly placed sources said the manner in which the operation was publicly presented has led to internal correspondence between the two police forces. Bengaluru police, they said, are keen to ensure transparency, procedural accuracy and proper documentation in a case that could have inter-state and national ramifications.
Protocols and procedural issues
Another senior police officer pointed out that as per established protocol, any external agency conducting raids within a state is expected to register basic details with the local police stations. “In this case, they did not share any details and left the city. That is a serious procedural lapse,” the officer said.
He further revealed that the Bengaluru city police were already tracking four accused allegedly linked to a drug peddling network and had active teams working to trace them. “Our teams were already on the ground, gathering intelligence and following leads. Better coordination would have strengthened the case,” the officer added.
Dispute over seized chemicals
The city police also stated that after examining the chemicals seized by the Maharashtra agency, their experts opined that the quantity and nature of the substances recovered were not sufficient to manufacture narcotic or psychotropic drugs.
According to police sources, this assessment further complicates the Rs 56-crore valuation claim. “If the seized chemicals cannot be directly used to manufacture narcotics, then projecting such a high valuation becomes questionable,” an officer said, adding that forensic and chemical analysis reports will play a crucial role in determining the actual nature and potential of the seized materials.
Ongoing investigation and inter-state links
Despite the differences, investigations into the supply chain, funding sources and interstate links of the alleged drug manufacturing racket are continuing. Multiple agencies are expected to share intelligence inputs in the coming days to piece together the broader network behind the operation.
Police officials said coordination between state and central agencies remains essential, but stressed that such cooperation must be backed by transparency and adherence to protocol. “Inter-state operations are sensitive. Clear communication, proper documentation and accurate valuation are crucial to ensure that cases are not weakened at later stages,” a senior officer said.
Need for standardised practices
The episode has once again highlighted the need for standardised practices in narcotics valuation and inter-agency coordination. Senior police officials believe that uniform guidelines on valuation — covering aspects such as processing stage, purity, intended market and applicable rates — would reduce ambiguity and prevent disputes between agencies.
In conclusion, Bengaluru police officials maintained that their intent is not to undermine the investigation but to ensure that the case is built on a strong, legally sustainable foundation. “Our priority is a watertight case that can stand the test of law. That requires accuracy, transparency and cooperation at every stage,” an officer said.