Drug trafficking in election season rings alarm bells

BENGALURU: The countdown for the Assembly election in Karnataka has started and campaigning by all political parties is on in full swing. While political parties are making all the effort to woo voters, spending crores by gifting sarees, organising get-togethers, non-vegetarian feasts, distribution of liquor and money, the authorities are alarmed by the increasing cases of drug trafficking.

The election officers have set up checkposts at numerous places to prevent violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Gifts, cash and drugs are routinely being seized by the police at several checkposts and the young voters are mainly the targets of the handouts.

Regular seizures by election officials include cash, cookers and sarees. But, for the first time, they have seized a huge quantity of narcotics at the Chamarajnagar checkpost. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the drugs were meant to target young voters.

Now, the Bengaluru Ccity police have taken the issue seriously and are investigating the sources of supply. Police are also keeping a close watch at checkposts for drug trafficking and other narcotic substances.