Mysuru: Police widen ecstasy seizure probe

MYSURU: The arrest of three Kerala-based college students in Mysuru for possession of MDMA or ecstasy, as it is commonly called on the market, has raised a red flag among the law enforcement authorities in the city. Police are growing increasingly concerned about the easy availability of drugs in the city, particularly with students being able to get their hands on it.
Consequently, authorities in colleges, including teachers, have been asked to keep a close watch on the students to see whether they are under the influence of drugs. Police, on the other hand, are continuing their search for the others involved in the MDMA racket, while continuing to monitor the movement of the drug in the city.
Mysuru city police commissioner Chandragupta told TOI that cops were currently involved in probing the extent of the network. “We have intimated the management of colleges to stay vigilant, and check for abuse of narcotics. An investigation has been launched following the seizure of ecstasy drug from the trio of students,” he said.
The students who were arrested by the city cops in possession of methylene dioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) were students of a Mysuru college, pursuing various courses. A weighing device that the students used to sell the drug, also found in the students’ possession, was confiscated.
The preliminary investigation into the seizure of the drug has revealed that ecstasy was supplied by peddlers from a neighbouring state, and was routed through Bengaluru.
A police officer said that ecstasy altered the mood of the consumer, and was abused predominantly by youngsters at parties. Available in different forms, the drug is sold for Rs 1,500/gram, he said. Those who have been arrested informed police that ecstasy was sold primarily to college students. But the cops are yet to establish the identity of those supplying the drug to the small-time traders.
Principal of Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering and Technology, Manjunatha TS said, “We have committees to monitor unlawful activities students are engaged in on campus. We are also trying to raise awareness about the ill-effects of addiction to drugs among the students.”