Students take part in an awareness rally against drug abuse in Yelahanka on Thursday.
Credit: DH PHOTO/BK Janardhan
Bengaluru: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said that the Bengaluru police had seized 4,000 kg of ganja and synthetic drugs worth Rs 45 crore over the past year.
He was speaking at the 'Say Yes to Life, No to Drugs' programme, organised to mark the 'International Day against Drugs and Human Trafficking' at Kanteerava Stadium in central Bengaluru.
Parameshwara revealed that over 200 foreign nationals involved in drug peddling had been deported.
The Bengaluru police, along with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), have been cracking down on foreign drug peddlers and initiating deportations.
He said the police have intensified awareness campaigns to curb the drug menace. "The government is taking every legal measure to prevent drug abuse. Efforts to send a strong message to students about its ill effects are ongoing,” Parameshwara said.
"Punjab was once called Udta Punjab for rampant drug use; we are taking steps to ensure Karnataka or Bengaluru does not earn such a name,” he added.
Awareness programmes have reached 6.50 lakh students across Karnataka, with the police visiting schools and colleges every month. All colleges have also been asked to form anti-drug committees.
Over 50,000 students from 500 colleges statewide attended the event via video conferencing and pledged to lead a drug-free life.
The event was attended by State Police Chief MA Saleem; Pronab Mohanty, Director General of Police, Cyber Command Unit; and Seemant Kumar Singh, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner.