<p>Belagavi: In a major crackdown on the drug menace, Belagavi City Police have intensified operations against marijuana (ganja) peddlers over the past few days, leading to multiple arrests and seizures of the contraband in varying quantities across the City.</p><p>The growing number of arrests suggests a steady and organised supply of drugs flowing into the City, with senior police officials confirming that major players behind the trade are still at large but under close watch. Given Belagavi’s strategic location bordering Maharashtra and Goa, the City has long served as a transit point for narcotics trafficking. In previous cases, police had seized large consignments of drugs headed towards Goa or intended for local sale. The police had also arrested the accused. The City’s history and connectivity make it vulnerable to such illicit activities.</p><p><strong>Teenagers falling prey</strong></p><p>A growing concern is the increasing number of teenagers and students falling prey to substance abuse. Reports indicate that youth have easy access to drugs such as brown sugar, cocaine, ecstasy, hashish, and marijuana. Many boast of having reliable contacts who can procure any narcotic substance on demand. Several local tea stalls, pan shops, and isolated roads, particularly arterial stretches with sparse pedestrian traffic, have turned into hotspots for drug peddling. Addicts and peddlers are said to exchange drugs and money in plain sight while evading public notice.</p><p>Speaking to Deccan Herald, Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase said, “We have launched a sustained crackdown against drug peddlers. Every day, cases are being registered, and we are actively pursuing those higher up in the supply chain - the big fish who bring narcotics into the City.”</p><p>He added that the police are also profiling repeat offenders, studying patterns of peddling and consumption, and working to disrupt access to narcotics. “Our goal is not only to arrest peddlers but to create an environment where drugs are no longer easily accessible. This will instill fear among offenders and curb the spread of addiction,” he said.</p><p>While small-time peddlers are frequently apprehended, locals have pointed out that the masterminds who supply them continue to operate from behind the scenes. “We often hear about arrests, but it’s usually the foot soldiers. The suppliers, the big players, are still out there,” said one resident who wished to remain anonymous.</p><p>The Commissioner assured that such elements are under surveillance and will soon face legal consequences. “No one will be spared, not even the big fish,” he emphasised.</p>
<p>Belagavi: In a major crackdown on the drug menace, Belagavi City Police have intensified operations against marijuana (ganja) peddlers over the past few days, leading to multiple arrests and seizures of the contraband in varying quantities across the City.</p><p>The growing number of arrests suggests a steady and organised supply of drugs flowing into the City, with senior police officials confirming that major players behind the trade are still at large but under close watch. Given Belagavi’s strategic location bordering Maharashtra and Goa, the City has long served as a transit point for narcotics trafficking. In previous cases, police had seized large consignments of drugs headed towards Goa or intended for local sale. The police had also arrested the accused. The City’s history and connectivity make it vulnerable to such illicit activities.</p><p><strong>Teenagers falling prey</strong></p><p>A growing concern is the increasing number of teenagers and students falling prey to substance abuse. Reports indicate that youth have easy access to drugs such as brown sugar, cocaine, ecstasy, hashish, and marijuana. Many boast of having reliable contacts who can procure any narcotic substance on demand. Several local tea stalls, pan shops, and isolated roads, particularly arterial stretches with sparse pedestrian traffic, have turned into hotspots for drug peddling. Addicts and peddlers are said to exchange drugs and money in plain sight while evading public notice.</p><p>Speaking to Deccan Herald, Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase said, “We have launched a sustained crackdown against drug peddlers. Every day, cases are being registered, and we are actively pursuing those higher up in the supply chain - the big fish who bring narcotics into the City.”</p><p>He added that the police are also profiling repeat offenders, studying patterns of peddling and consumption, and working to disrupt access to narcotics. “Our goal is not only to arrest peddlers but to create an environment where drugs are no longer easily accessible. This will instill fear among offenders and curb the spread of addiction,” he said.</p><p>While small-time peddlers are frequently apprehended, locals have pointed out that the masterminds who supply them continue to operate from behind the scenes. “We often hear about arrests, but it’s usually the foot soldiers. The suppliers, the big players, are still out there,” said one resident who wished to remain anonymous.</p><p>The Commissioner assured that such elements are under surveillance and will soon face legal consequences. “No one will be spared, not even the big fish,” he emphasised.</p>