Citizens busting drug rackets by calling this toll-free number

By Anuksha Dey

The Bengaluru City police arrested two drug peddlers early this week. The arrests were made after complaints were filed over 1908, the toll-free number for drug-related offences. The peddlers are of African origin, and had 56 MDMA tablets with them. The cops are regularly cracking down on drug rackets in Bengaluru over the last few years, and have been widely praised for their success. Helping them is the toll-free number where any citizen can be an informant, and their identity will be kept confidential.

What is MDMA?

MDMA, popularly known as Ecstacy or Molly is an addictive drug that is illegally taken to increase dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. While this may have a temporary positive effect on the mood of the user, it also increases the heart rate and blood pressure which may be risky for people with heart and blood vessel issues. MDMA might also cause nausea, muscle cramping, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred vision and chills.

When used over a week, the drug can also cause attention and sleep difficulties, anxiety, depression and aggressive behaviour. 

The MDMA and cocaine drug racket

The recent arrest was one of many in recent times. On February 22, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested two more foreign drug peddlers. The foreigners were found to have Ecstasy and Cocaine.

On January 30, the Anti Narcotics Wing arrested four drug peddlers, including two African nationals, and seized Rs 75 lakhs worth of drugs. All four foreigners were staying in Bengaluru without valid documents. They were arrested under the NDPS and Foreigners Act.

Both Cocaine and Ecstasy are drugs that cannot be widely produced locally and are generally smuggled into the country. The drug circuit is spread across India and linked to other countries through foreign peddlers and smugglers. The police are working to break this circuit at its roots. On December 16, the CCB conducted a raid and seized Rs 1 crore worth narcotic substances. On January 5, three inter-state drug peddlers were arrested and Rs 15 lakhs worth of MDMA and Hashish drugs were confiscated. 

On December 15, the CCB successfully brought down the kingpin of cocaine supply in Bengaluru. However, much work remains to be done to stop the widespread use and dissemination of illegal drugs in Bengaluru. While drugs have become rampant around educational institutions, nabbing the culprits requires the officers to masquerade as clients and catch them in the act, with a third party person acting as witness. Since it’s a major crime, much preparation and precaution is required to nail the criminals.