Kerala Police Conduct Major Drug Bust in Bengaluru, Arrest Food-Delivery Agent
In a significant crackdown on narcotics trafficking, Kerala police have successfully raided a hideout in Bengaluru, seizing a large cache of MDMA pills valued at over Rs 1 crore. The operation, which took place in Mylasandra, Electronics City, led to the arrest of Diresh Kutum, a native of Assam who was working as a food-delivery agent. This incident underscores the persistent trend of police teams from neighbouring states targeting drug peddlers in Karnataka's urban centres.
Details of the Raid and Arrest
According to an investigating officer, Kutum was allegedly involved in transporting drugs from Assam and Kerala through Bengaluru, using the city as a key transit point. During the raid, police made a startling discovery: approximately 12 Cerelac packs were recovered, with the accused having cleverly concealed the narcotics inside them. This method of concealment highlights the sophisticated tactics employed by drug traffickers to evade detection.
The arrest of Kutum follows a related operation in Malappuram, Kerala, where police apprehended eight of his associates last week on charges of drug peddling. In that raid, authorities seized 1 kg of MDMA. Based on statements from these associates, who implicated Kutum as their supplier, a Kerala police team was dispatched to Bengaluru to track him down.
"Taking help from local police, Kutum's house was raided and MDMA seized," the investigating officer stated, emphasizing the collaborative effort between state forces. This cooperation is crucial in tackling cross-border drug networks that exploit jurisdictional boundaries.
Rising Trend of Inter-State Police Raids
The recent bust is part of a broader pattern where police from states like Kerala are increasingly conducting raids in cities such as Bengaluru and Mysuru to dismantle narcotics rackets. When questioned about this surge in inter-state operations, a senior IPS officer provided context, noting that Karnataka police also conduct similar raids in other states based on credible intelligence.
"These raids and arrests are made based on credible information. It does not mean that our network is weak, but yes, there is an increase in drug trade all over," the officer explained. This statement reflects a growing recognition of the escalating drug trade across regions, necessitating coordinated law enforcement actions beyond state lines.
Implications for Drug Enforcement
The arrest of Kutum, who leveraged his job as a food-delivery agent to facilitate drug transportation, points to the evolving strategies of traffickers in using legitimate cover for illicit activities. The use of everyday items like Cerelac packs for concealment further complicates detection efforts, requiring police to adapt their investigative techniques.
This incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of local drug enforcement networks. While the senior IPS officer defended Karnataka's policing capabilities, the frequency of raids by neighbouring states suggests that drug peddlers may be exploiting gaps in surveillance or leveraging Bengaluru's connectivity as a hub for distribution.
As drug trade continues to proliferate, such inter-state collaborations are likely to become more common, aiming to disrupt supply chains and apprehend key players. The bust in Bengaluru serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against narcotics and the need for sustained, multi-agency efforts to curb this menace.
