Karnataka may soon be known as the narcotics hub of India with cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act showing 63% hike in 2025.
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Apart from being regarded as the IT capital of the country, Karnataka may soon be known as the narcotics hub of India. The state saw a 63% increase in the number of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2025. A total of 10, 000 cases related to drug offences have been registered in the state in the last two years. These numbers paint a very concerning picture as Bangalore and Mangalore cities are traditionally not hot spots for crime. These cities are hubs for students and young professionals, who now might be exposed to this growing menace.
While the drug menace may not be new to India, easy availability of synthetic drugs will make the youths more vulnerable, which in turn may ruin progress and prosperity of the country. The fact that this problem has reared its ugly head in a region like Karnataka remains worrisome. The fact is that the state has been a shining light in India’s development story in the 21st century. Today, its reputation as a hub for technological ingenuity has traversed far beyond India. Resultantly, such a reputation has attracted a significant amount of investment into the state. The rise of structural problems in this region may shake investor’s confidence. Such an eventuality would be catastrophic for the region. Both the central and the state government have to ensure that a grave issue such as this is resolved at the earliest. If nothing is done to stop this dangerous trend, social, political and economic ramification will shake the nation to its core.
It has already been found that the impact of this growing menace is not restricted to Karnataka. Multiple operations carried out in far off states like Gujarat have revealed that the drug supply originated from Karnataka. This sheds light on the fact that Karnataka has emerged as a manufacturing hub for such banned substances. This development also paints the local law enforcement in a bad light. They have not only failed to stop the rise of drug trafficking networks in the state but have also been inefficient in arresting the culprits. This is why agencies from outside the state have had to involve in major operations. What is needed is to acknowledge the growing drug menace in the state and address it at the earliest. Any attempt to downplay the severity of the issue will be counter-productive and pose a serious threat to public health. If left unchecked, it will destroy the country from within.