Karnataka Intensifies War on Drugs: 4,794 Arrests and Rs 653 Crore Seizure in Three Years
In a significant crackdown on narcotics, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara informed the state legislature on Tuesday that the police have arrested a total of 4,794 individuals in drug-related cases over the past three years. This includes 47 foreign nationals and 4,747 local drug peddlers, highlighting the scale of the state's anti-drug operations.
Massive Drug Seizures and Destruction
The government reported seizing narcotics worth a staggering Rs 653 crore during this period. As part of the crackdown, authorities destroyed drugs valued at approximately Rs 250 crore by burning them. In a recent operation, police confiscated 350 kilograms of ganja that had arrived from Tirupathi to Malavalli town in Mandya district, underscoring ongoing vigilance.
Focus on Foreign Nationals and Deportations
Parameshwara detailed that cases have not been filed against the 47 foreign nationals under narcotics acts due to deportation constraints. Instead, authorities are intentionally charging them with overstaying in the country to facilitate their return home. In the previous year, 371 foreign nationals were deported from Karnataka, and 298 have been deported in the current fiscal year, with a majority involved in drug cases.
Addressing Drug Menace in Educational Institutions
Responding to concerns raised by BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar about increasing drug cases near schools and colleges, Parameshwara emphasized the government's commitment to eradicating the drug menace. He stated that the arrests demonstrate the state's intent to protect Karnataka's youth from narcotics influence.
Preventive Measures and Student Outreach
The home minister revealed that police have reached out to 45 lakh students through outreach programs in schools and colleges over the last three years. Additionally, random testing of students in colleges has been initiated to identify institutions with high drug usage. Parameshwara warned that colleges found with repeated drug issues could face affiliation cancellations after three strikes, reinforcing a strict stance on campus safety.
Only 13 of those arrested have been identified as kingpins in drug supply chains, indicating that while many low-level peddlers have been caught, the network's top operators remain a challenge. The government's multi-pronged approach combines enforcement, deportation, and prevention to tackle the complex issue of drug trafficking in Karnataka.
