(This story originally appeared in on Nov 30, 2016)

Bengaluru is of late becoming the drug centre of South India and the issue is being widely debated in various circles. However, not all are aware of the extent of narcotics that is being transacted across Karnataka. While several new drugs including chemical-based ones have found a market, the demand for traditional drugs is gaining momentum over the years. Giving insight into the recovery of drugs by arresting peddlers’, home minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday revealed quantities of various drugs that were recovered by the state police.Seeking the government’s attention over rising drug-related crimes, Basavakalyan MLA Mallikarjun Khooba sought details of cases registered across Karnataka and the quantity of drugs that have been recovered. Replying with elaborate details, Parameshwara revealed that there has been a steady increase in the number of drug abuse cases as their numbers have shot up from 279 in 2014 to 498 in October 2016. Interestingly, the recovery of drugs every year has thrown light on their popularity as one or the other drug has been recovered in huge quantities every year. Sources in the home department also revealed that peddlers often come up with different drugs every year as it has increasingly become difficult for them to source them.Leaving the cops worried, more and more instances of Ganja cultivation have been reported across the state. “While it used to be common to see Ganja cultivation in remote areas, these days even in open vacant sites of Bengaluru, peddlers especially migrants from other states have taken to Ganja cultivation! This is something serious and we have been taking measures to crack down on such activities,” explained sources in the home department.Similarly, the transaction and usage of charas/hashish has also been on a steady rise with cops recovering close to 15 kgs compared to a few grams in the previous years. “Of all the traditional drugs, the sale and use of Cocaine has shot up and our recovery too has resulted in high seizures. From 1.34 kgs of Cocaine in 2014, it has gone up to 5.35 kg of Cocaine this year. With a few months left for the completion of the year, the cases may increase considerably,” opined a senior cop attached to CCB.Other drugs like heroin, poppy and opium, which were found in traces, have also found a potential market across Karnataka including Bengaluru. The poppy and opium that used to be recovered in 800-900 gms are now being seized in quantities of 500 kgs. “These drugs used to be sold in fewer quantities until a few years ago and now all of a sudden, large scale recoveries have been made, suggesting the rampant spread of the drug trade. This is shocking. The government should track the root of these peddlers,” revealed an activist.