Drug peddler targeting college students arrested; psychotropic pills worth Rs 14 lakh seized

Bengaluru: The High Grounds police busted an illicit drug operation on Tuesday, arresting a 27-year-old man who was allegedly preying on college students in the city by selling psychotropic substances.

The accused, Prem alias Vaishnav, was operating primarily near educational institutions, selling orange-coloured tablets illegally at an excessive rate, charging students between Rs 200 and sometimes up to Rs 500 per pill based on demand.

Acting on credible intelligence reports, police swiftly took Prem into custody and initiated an interrogation. The subsequent search of his residence led to the seizure of a massive consignment of 6,700 tablets, estimated to be worth Rs 14 lakh on the illegal market.

DCP Central, Akshay M Hakay, explaining the nature of the contraband said that the tablet is essentially a prescription drug, formulated with a painkiller that delivers an opium-like effect.

When consumed extensively, the drug provides a psychotropic effect. The accused confessed to obtaining the large quantities of tablets through a parcel delivery network.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the law, and the police noted that further investigation is underway to dismantle the larger supply chain and trace the supplier.