Drug Trade Dynamics: Busting Myths in Karnataka

Telangana Drug Seizures

Posted by AI on 2026-02-08 22:27:14 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-09 00:19:17

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In a surprising twist, the drug trade in Karnataka, especially in its bustling capital, Bengaluru, challenges the common belief that outsiders control the illicit market. Recent data reveals a significant shift in the demographics of drug peddlers, indicating a more nuanced reality.

The numbers tell a compelling story. In 2024, 235 out-of-state individuals were arrested for drug peddling in Karnataka, with Bengaluru accounting for 135 of these arrests. However, in 2025, this figure dropped to 226, with 125 arrests in Bengaluru. Concurrently, the number of narcotics cases skyrocketed, rising from 4,158 in 2024 to 5,834 in 2025 for the state and more than doubling in Bengaluru, from 520 to 1,057. This data, presented by Home Minister G. Parameshwara, dispels the myth that outsiders predominantly drive the drug trade.

A veteran official in anti-narcotic investigations sheds light on the situation, stating that while some drugs, like ganja, originate from Telangana and Odisha, and hydroganja from Thailand, it is primarily locals who distribute and consume these substances. The official further explains that locals also dominate the online narcotics trade, ordering through the dark web and receiving deliveries via covert couriers. However, the official acknowledges that foreign nationals and out-of-state individuals are involved in synthetic drug operations, including clandestine labs manufacturing MDMA, ecstasy, and LSD.

The evolving landscape of drug operations in Karnataka demands a strategic shift in law enforcement focus. With clandestine labs run by out-of-state individuals busted in Mysuru and Bengaluru, the Karnataka State Police must adapt their tactics to target higher-level synthetic drug producers, ensuring a comprehensive approach to combating the drug trade.

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