Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Jun 27: Expressing concern over the growing menace of substance abuse among youth, Udupi superintendent of police Hariram Shankar said the police department is committed to eradicating the drug menace at its roots through sustained enforcement and awareness initiatives.

Speaking to reporters on Friday after overseeing the destruction of seized narcotic substances at Ayush Envirotech in the Nandikur Industrial Area, the SP said the narcotics were destroyed in accordance with court orders as part of the observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The destroyed contraband, valued at approximately Rs 36.29 lac, had been seized in 17 cases registered during 2025-26 under the jurisdictions of six police stations in Udupi district. The narcotics included 73.9 kg of ganja, 15 grams of MDMA, and other prohibited substances.

The SP noted that the 64 kg of ganja seized under the limits of Malpe police station constituted a major portion of the destroyed contraband. He added that ganja is primarily cultivated in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Police have not only arrested traffickers but have also initiated legal action against plantation owners and middlemen, including those operating in Odisha.

Additional superintendent of police Sudhakar, Additional SP Belliyappa K U, DySP Vijayaprasad, circle inspectors Vijayaprasad (Karkala) and Ajjath Ali (Kapu), Padubidri police station inspector Shaktivelu, Kaup police station inspector Tejaswi, DCRB sub-inspector Gopal Nayak, SOCO personnel, police personnel from various stations, and employees of Ayush Envirotech were present during the destruction process.