Narcotics Control Bureau seizes drugs worth Rs 50 cr
Bengaluru (PTI): The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Bengaluru Zonal Unit has seized 45.4 kg of hydro ganja and six kg of psilocybin mushrooms at Kempegowda International Airport.
The contraband, valued at around Rs 50 crore, was recovered from three persons, including a Sri Lankan national on October 9, a statement issued by the NCB on Sunday said.
Acting on specific intelligence on drug cartels involved in trafficking of hydroponic ganja from Thailand, NCB officers intercepted two passengers arriving from Colombo and recovered 31.4 kg of hydro ganja and four kg of psilocybin mushrooms, it added.
The statement said that their interrogation led to the identification and interdiction of their Sri Lankan handler who arrived later with 14 kg of hydro ganja and two kg of psilocybin mushrooms.
The drugs were meticulously concealed in around 250 food tins vacuum sealed to evade detection, according to the NCB.
The agency said that during 2025, the Bengaluru NCB has seized 220 kg of hydro ganja worth hundreds of crores in 18 cases and arrested 45 people from Kerala, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
The agency noted that "Hydroponic Ganja has become an elite party drug" commanding up to Rs 80 lakh per kg because of its high psychoactive effect, containing up to 25 per cent THC compared to five per cent in ordinary ganja.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
