In a technology-driven push against drug abuse, Shivamogga police have intensified their area domination drives by deploying drones to track and nab youths consuming ganja across the district. The initiative, launched towards the end of 2024, has already led to hundreds of detections and arrests, police officials said.
Drones patrol hotspots and residential areas
Superintendent of Police Mithun Kumar G K said drones are being actively used in new layouts, city outskirts and known dens where youths usually gather. Trained personnel monitor live drone footage to identify suspicious behaviour, after which suspects are brought to police stations and tested for ganja consumption.
“These drones are operated even in residential areas. Images are closely monitored, and based on activity patterns, suspects are identified and questioned,” the SP told The New Indian Express.
Evening beats strengthened with aerial surveillance
The police conduct regular beats between 6 pm and 10 pm in residential localities, layouts and outskirts. The SP explained that many offenders manage to escape when police teams are on foot patrols.
“Those who run away or behave suspiciously when they see police are often difficult to catch. Drones are extremely useful in tracking and nabbing such persons,” he said, adding that every police station now has trained drone operators. Currently, three drones are in active use across the district.
Useful for farms and forest belts too
Apart from consumption, drones are also being used to detect ganja cultivation, particularly in inaccessible areas. In cases where police receive tip-offs about cannabis being grown between crops or in forest belts, drones are sent to capture close images for confirmation.
“Drones are more effective in detecting consumption cases, but they are also helpful in confirming cultivation, especially where ground access is difficult,” the SP noted.
Strong results over three years
Police data shows that in the last three years, drone-assisted area domination led to 2,144 raids. During this period, 9,614 individuals were tested for ganja consumption, of which 960 tested positive. Additionally, 15 cases of ganja cultivation were registered using drone-based evidence.
More drones planned
Drones have also proved useful for surveillance during large public gatherings and monitoring inaccessible areas. The police department plans to procure more drones and expand their use to further curb ganja consumption and cultivation in Shivamogga district.