Cocaine use in Karnataka doubles in five years, Bengaluru new transit point

BENGALURU: Gone are the days when ganja was druggers’ most lethal dope. Cocaine, more sinister and costlier, has taken over the party scene, stealing a march on its more popular rival, thanks to growing nightlife destinations.
According to home department officials, cocaine use in Karnataka has doubled in the past five years though its prohibitive price ranges between Rs 6,000 and Rs 12,000 per gram depending on quality. “Bengaluru is now a new transit point in the drug’s route to South Asian countries, which is one of the reasons for its easy availability here,” a senior police officer said.

Coke or cocaine, a white powder extracted from cocoa, is fallaciously termed the king of drugs. It can be snorted, smoked or injected.

Cocaine is also considered a drug of showbiz. It’s no surprise then that some Kannada actresses are under the police scanner. “Traditionally, rich college students were cocaine customers, but now the clientele is predominantly from cinema, real estate and IT industries and allied services. “Earlier, substance abuse was limited to rave parties. Now it happens in every other party. Resorts and homestays in Malnad districts of Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru are emerging destinations for cocaine parties,” police sources explained.
The drug that stimulates the nervous system is finding many takers among affluent pub-goers. A senior home department official said the cocaine business has been growing but not to the extent as is being made out. “Cocaine use has grown mainly among the elite as it’s expensive. On the whole, usage of synthetic drugs like ecstasy, a derivative of amphetamine, is on the rise because they are stimulants and everyone now wants to live a fast life,’’ he added.

According to police figures, around 500kg of drugs, including heroin, opium, ganja, hashish, morphine, ephedrine and poppy husk, were seized in 2015-2016. But of late, the amount has grown to 1,500-2000kg and the increasing use of cocaine, a new phenomenon, has made a significant impact.
The number of narcotics cases booked in Bengaluru jumped to 768 from 286 in 2019. It’s expected to go up this year too since the drug trade thrived even during lockdown.
Police said the presence of multiple dealers makes detection difficult; the drug is smuggled into the state from West African countries like Nigeria through Goa and Mumbai. “Synthetic drugs like cocaine are brought by foreigners from cities like Mumbai, Chennai and Goa. Celebrities are generally targeted by the mafia to travel to these cities and collect the parcels personally as they are least suspected,” said another senior police officer.
“BJP is committed to ensuring that Karnataka becomes drug-free. This menace must be eliminated, lock, stock and barrel. Those involved must be brought to book, irrespective of their social and political standing, connections and contacts with the high and mighty,” said Nalin Kumar Kateel, state BJP president.
In Video:Alarming! Cocaine use in Karnataka doubles in five years, Bengaluru new transit point