In a significant escalation of its campaign against narcotics, the Mangaluru City Police have made substantial breakthroughs, arresting 25 individuals and registering a dozen cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in a focused two-week operation. The intensive drive, conducted from November 30 to December 13, led to the confiscation of 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kilograms of ganja.
Anonymous QR Code System Proves Effective
City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH highlighted the crucial role played by a new, discreet reporting mechanism. The police introduced a QR code-based anonymous reporting system, designed to empower citizens and students to share tips on drug-related activities without fear of exposure. Commissioner Reddy confirmed the system has received an encouraging response, with several recent arrests directly stemming from information provided through this confidential channel. This initiative has significantly tightened the police's grip on drug peddlers operating in the city.
The commissioner emphasized the operational strategy of ensuring peddlers are caught red-handed during transactions to prevent them from disputing charges or claiming innocence later in court.
Annual Statistics Reveal Scale of the Menace
The recent fortnightly crackdown is part of a larger annual effort. The data for the current year, up to December 14, paints a stark picture of the drug trade's scale in Mangaluru. Police have registered 107 cases specifically related to drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, authorities have booked 562 cases for drug consumption, arresting 671 individuals.
The total narcotics seized this year is staggering and includes:
- 320.6 kg of ganja worth approximately ₹88.7 lakh.
- 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at around ₹1.2 crore.
- MDMA pills worth ₹87,000.
Other substances recovered in various raids comprise charas, high-potency hydro-weed ganja, methamphetamine, bhang chocolates, cocaine, and opium, with a combined worth running into additional lakhs of rupees.
Comparing year-on-year action, in 2024, police arrested 160 peddlers in 88 cases and booked 1,026 consumption cases (1,244 arrests). In 2023, the figures stood at 199 peddlers arrested in 94 cases and 619 consumption cases (749 arrests).
Random Drug Testing in Colleges Expanded
To combat the rising trend of substance abuse among the youth, the Mangaluru City Police have implemented a structured program of random drug testing in educational institutions. Uniform guidelines have been rolled out across colleges in the city.
As part of this initiative, random tests have been conducted in approximately 100 institutions so far. In the first phase, between 5,500 to 6,000 students were screened. The tests revealed that 20 students tested positive for drug consumption. These students were provided with counselling, and they will be re-tested in the second quarter. The testing program will also be expanded to include students who were not covered earlier.
To ensure the initiative's strict implementation, police personnel were present in plain clothes (mufti) in some institutions. Commissioner Reddy reiterated the department's zero-tolerance policy, stating that random testing would continue. Colleges have also been directed to consider conducting drug tests during the admission process itself to deter substance abuse at an early stage.
