Bengaluru Police suspends 11 personnel in drug-peddling nexus

Bengaluru’s pledge to eradicate narcotics has taken a dramatic turn with the suspension of 11 police personnel accused of colluding with drug peddlers. The action comes after an internal investigation revealed that officers from two city police stations were allegedly safeguarding traffickers instead of curbing the menace.

Also read: Bengaluru Police seize 4,000 kg of drugs worth ₹45 Cr, deport over 200 foreign peddlers in a year

The scandal unfolded when RR Nagar police busted a six-member gang led by Salman, alias Paapa, a repeat offender from Chamarajpet. During the probe, investigators found that Salman had stocked 1,000 Tydol tablets, painkillers smuggled from Mumbai and sold illegally to students for five to six times their purchase cost. Despite not falling under narcotics law, the pills induce intoxication similar to banned substances, making them a lucrative business for the gang.

Mobile phones exposed links to police officers

Scrutiny of the gang’s mobile phones exposed links to police officers from Chamarajpet and JJ Nagar. Far from policing the area, some officers were accused of taking protection money, leaking raid information, and even partying with traffickers.

Those police suspended include inspector T Manjanna, an assistant sub-inspector, head constables, and several constables. The revelations prompted senior officials to form a special team, which confirmed the nexus and submitted its findings.

The police leadership has now pledged strict departmental inquiries against the suspended officers. The move signals an attempt not only to dismantle the drug supply chain but also to cleanse the force of corruption undermining Bengaluru’s anti-drug campaign.