Foreign mafia gangs supplying drugs in K'taka: BJP

Bangalore, July 3 (UNI) International mafia gangs from countries like Nepal and Africa were involved in drug trafficking in various cities in Karnataka, BJP member 'Mukhya Mantri' Chandru informed the Legislative Council today.

Moving a calling-attention motion, he said the gangs were using students as their agents to supply narcotics in schools, colleges, and entertainment centres in cities like Bangalore and Manipal, besides the coastal areas.

The BJP leader said the growth of IT and BT sectors in the State had led to the widespread menace. In Manipal, students were taking life-saving drugs and anaesthesia for intoxication. Over 50 kg of contraband was being supplied a month in the city alone. Mr Saleem Ali (Congress) said the drug peddlers, in connivance with some police officials, had spread their tentacles in schools and discotheques, after banning of live band joints. Some medical shops were also involved in this racket, he added.

He demanded setting up of a separate intelligence wing to monitor drug trafficking in the State.

Replying to the motion, Health Minister R Ashok said cases filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act had come down from 298 in 2003 to 55 this year till now.

Council Officiating Chairman Sachidanand Khot converted the issue to be taken up under a different rule following a request from Leader of the Opposition H K Patil as the issue was a serious one.

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