4 held in joint drug op by Maharashtra ANTF, Bengaluru Police & NCB
Bengaluru (PTI): A joint operation by the Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force, the Bengaluru City Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau led to the arrest of four people in connection with the illicit manufacture and trafficking of mephedrone and related precursor materials, officials said on Monday.
In total, 4.2 kg of mephedrone valued at Rs 1.2 crore and 17 kg of precursor or raw material were seized, they said.
On December 21, Abdul Khader was detained in Mumbai by Maharashtra ANTF sleuths for allegedly possessing around 1.5 kg of mephedrone.
ALSO READ: Maharashtra cops bust ₹1.2 crore worth drugs in Bengaluru ahead of New Year
According to a statement from the Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s office, Khader’s interrogation led to the arrest of Prashanth Patil of Belagavi, who provided information about the source of the contraband, directing investigators to Bengaluru.
“Maharashtra ANTF, in coordination with the Bengaluru City Police and NCB officials, apprehended Suresh Yadav at Katakanahalli, under Yelahanka police station limits, and Malkhan Ramlal Bishnoi at Kannur, under Bagalur police station limits,” the statement said.
The joint operation resulted in the seizure of 4.2 kg of mephedrone from a house in Yerappanahalli village under Avalahalli police station limits, along with 17 kg of liquid raw material and other chemicals stocked for preparation. Barrels, mixers and other equipment were also seized, police said.
Another mixer was recovered from N Gollahalli under Kothanur police station limits. However, no functional laboratory or factory was found at any of the raided locations, it said.
Police further stated that raw material stocked at a carpenter shed in Kannur was also seized.
The Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) team of the Bengaluru City Police analysed the seized material and submitted a preliminary report identifying chemicals such as 40 per cent methylamine, 48 per cent hydrobromic acid, aluminium chloride (anhydrous), sodium carbonate (anhydrous) and oxalic acid powder, it stated.
“We conducted tests on the finished 4.2 kg substance. The general test was positive for amphetamine, but specific tests for methamphetamine and MDMA were negative. It could be an impure substance,” the statement said.
The total seizure of drugs worth Rs 55 Crore was indicated by the Maharashtra police in its press briefing. However, the Bengaluru Police said that an official clarification regarding quantities seized and their total worth of the contraband is being sought from them to ascertain the purity of the material seized, based on which the total worth of the drugs seized can be quantified.
The joint operations were conducted between December 24 and 25. The accused were produced before the Devanahalli court on December 26, they added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
NGT halts Karnataka govt plan to divert ₹400 crore from KSPCB
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government’s move to divert over ₹400 crore from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) for non-environmental works has hit a legal hurdle, after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took suo motu cognisance of the issue.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald, the state government had sought ₹100 crore as a grant, a ₹126 crore interest-free loan, and an additional ₹200 crore loan at an interest rate of 7.5% from the KSPCB. The funds were proposed to be used for projects related to preventing man-animal conflict and for coastal resilience works.
ALSO READ: Dense fog disrupts Delhi airport operations, over 130 flights impacted
The principal bench of the NGT, while issuing notices to Karnataka and other states, observed that pollution control boards are already facing severe staff shortages and increasing responsibilities. It noted that while boards are not allowed to fill vacancies to carry out their statutory duties, their funds are being sought for activities not covered under the Air Act or Water Act, which govern their functioning.
Of the total ₹426 crore sought by the state, ₹300 crore was proposed for constructing railway barricades to prevent man-elephant conflict, while ₹126 crore was earmarked for coastal protection works under a climate change mitigation programme.
The report also pointed out that diverting KSPCB funds lacks legal backing under the Water and Air Acts. It referred to a 2023 NGT order that questioned a similar attempt by the Punjab government to divert ₹250 crore, following which Punjab withdrew its proposal.
Officials within the KSPCB have raised concerns over the move, stating that the board requires greater autonomy and urgent reforms. They also flagged acute staff shortages, which have affected the board’s ability to effectively carry out environmental monitoring and regulatory functions.
