Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Feb 13: The narcotic drug menace has been rampant in the coastal district for the past 10 years. The respite was only during the Covid lockdowns.

During a recent investigation, it had come to light that the silver screen actors, anchors and other celebrities were involved in this vicious business. Based on the information provided by those arrested, the police had nabbed some Nigerian nationals in Bengaluru.

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The drug mafia in the coastal district basically targets students from outstation districts and states. It has spread its tentacles into rural college and school campuses as well.

Ganja is supplied to the city mainly from the neighbouring states of Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra through train. Other drugs are sold on websites, various networks including social media as well.

More than 850 cases related to narcotics have been registered in the city in the past six years. Nearly 1200 people have been arrested. Ganja and other narcotic drugs valued at crore of rupees have been confiscated from the accused.

As the coastal cities are known for professional education, students from other states of India as well as overseas form the main clientele for the drug dealers. The most circulated narcotic substances are Ganja, upper drugs like MDMA, cocaine, charas and hashish. From 2019 onwards, the quantity of synthetic drugs has overtaken ganja.

Last year, the police department had destroyed confiscated narcotics worth Rs 1.5 crore.