Bengaluru, Jan 31 (NationPress) Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated on Saturday that the state police have informed him that no narcotic substances were recovered during the raids conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mysuru. He also mentioned that he would confirm the details surrounding the NCB’s assertions.

While addressing the media in Bengaluru, Parameshwara expressed his astonishment at the NCB’s press release, which reported seizures in Karnataka. “Seizures in different states are separate issues. I was in Mysuru on Friday and spoke with the Police Commissioner and the Inspector General who informed me that police officers, in collaboration with Intelligence Bureau (IB) agents, carried out searches and found nothing in Mysuru,” he elaborated.

“Based on this information, I asserted that nothing was uncovered. However, since the NCB's statement mentions drug recoveries from Karnataka, I will look into the facts of the situation,” the Home Minister commented.

Detailing the sequence of events, Parameshwara mentioned that an individual from Karnataka was intercepted outside the state while transporting drugs, leading to the seizure of his vehicle. “Upon questioning him, officials proceeded to Mysuru in search of his relative. A phenyl manufacturing unit was reportedly being established there, but it was not operational. The location was searched, yet no narcotic substances were found,” he stated.

Countering accusations that the Congress-led state government had failed to tackle the drug problem, Parameshwara claimed such assertions were false. “Raids occur daily, and drug cartels are being dismantled. This involves international networks, with narcotics originating from nations like Thailand. A new substance known as ‘hydro ganja’ is also being seized in large amounts, valued between Rs 5 crore and Rs 10 crore,” he noted.

This clarification came a day after the NCB asserted it had dismantled a significant inter-state drug trafficking syndicate and a clandestine drug manufacturing operation in Mysuru. In its official statement released on Friday, the NCB mentioned that drugs worth approximately Rs 10 crore in the street market, Rs 25.6 lakh in cash, a Toyota Fortuner vehicle, and over 500 kg of chemicals had been seized to date.

“The facility located in the Hebbal Industrial Area, Mysuru, housing the clandestine lab, has been sealed for a forensic examination,” the statement indicated.

According to the NCB, acting on intelligence, a Toyota Fortuner SUV registered in Karnataka was intercepted at Palsana in Surat district of Gujarat on January 28, leading to the seizure of approximately 35 kg of Mephedrone (MD). Follow-up searches at the residence of the alleged mastermind, Mahindra Kumar Vishnoi, in Palsana resulted in recovering 1.8 kg of opium, Rs 25.6 lakh in cash, and various chemicals, with support from the Surat Police.

Meanwhile, the BJP criticized the Congress-led Karnataka government over the supposed drug factory bust in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s native Mysuru. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka warned that the party would initiate protests if stringent actions were not taken promptly.

“If this drug racket, which is threatening the future of our youth, is not addressed with utmost seriousness, we will be compelled to launch a vigorous protest against the government,” Ashoka asserted.