Bengaluru: In a significant blow to drug trade, Kolar CEN police arrested a person and seized 806 grams of MDMA, worth over Rs 50 lakh, along with the two-wheeler he was using to peddle the narcotic.
The crackdown, led by Kolar superintendent of police Nikhil B, highlights the growing threat posed by drug peddlers targeting industrial suburbs and college-going youth.
The operation began last month after police arrested one Shivu, who had 50 grams of MDMA. During investigation, authorities discovered a network of anti-social elements targeting working-class youth in industrial areas and college students to sell drugs.
Further investigation revealed Syed Purkhan, a peddler from Soladevanahalli, Bengaluru, was sourcing the narcotic from Nigerian suppliers at a low cost and distributing it to youngsters in and around Kolar for a profit. On March 12, Syed was caught near Maderahalli off Bengaluru-Chennai National Highway and 806 grams of MDMA was recovered.
SP Nikhil said while such ecstasy drugs were typically confined to larger cities like Bengaluru and Mangaluru, this seizure marks one of the biggest drug busts in Kolar. Syed’s arrest helped break a critical link in the drug supply chain, and police are now intensifying efforts to track down the kingpin behind the operation, the officer said.