The last year sawdrugs over Rs 102 cr seized by city cops

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Drugs worth more than Rs 102 crore have been seized by the anti-narcotics wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) this year, city police said on Sunday.

With an aim to make Bengaluru free from drugs, the CCB officials have been raiding places and cracking down on those engaged in the contraband trade.

According to the sources, illicit drugs worth more than Rs 41 crore were seized during the first eight months in 2023. In the remaining four months, the officials seized drugs worth more than Rs 61 crores from various peddlers.

As per the police, the influx of heroin and methamphetamine, orchestrated by drug lords with alleged intelligence support, is fuelling drug addiction.

The evolving landscape of drug trafficking includes the adoption of new-age tactics like dark web transactions and cryptocurrency use. Recent arrests by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) unveiled a pan-India drug trafficking network operating on the 'darknet.'

The syndicate, included individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, utilised couriers and postal services to discreetly deliver narcotics sourced globally.

"We have launched a special drive since last week and jurisdictional police have rounded up peddlers for questioning and searched their houses," Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said.

The Bengaluru Police have also directed pubs, bars and restaurants to keep a log book to record the details of the visitors and guests on New Year’s Eve.