Zero-tolerance on drugs: Mysuru City Police launch twin campaigns

Published 18 July 2026 · india

In a major offensive against the narcotics menace, Mysuru City Police on Saturday launched twin anti-drug campaigns — Operation ‘RISE’ and ‘BEDA BRO’ — even

In a major offensive against the narcotics menace, Mysuru City Police on Saturday launched twin anti-drug campaigns — Operation ‘RISE’ and ‘BEDA BRO’ — even as authorities revealed the seizure of 1,016 kg of synthetic drug raw material worth ₹19.46 crore this year under a zero-tolerance strategy aimed at making Karnataka drug-free by 2028. The initiative combines stringent enforcement with awareness programmes, random drug testing in educational institutions and greater public participation to curb both drug trafficking and drug abuse. Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Superintendent of Police Mallikarjuna Baladandi, Deputy Commissioners of Police Priyamvada and Sundar Raj, along with other senior officers, launched the campaign by distributing pamphlets among the public and youth. They later addressed a press conference outlining the anti-drug strategy in the city and district.

According to police, 140 NDPS cases have been registered in the district so far in 2026, including 124 drug consumption cases and 26 peddling cases, leading to the arrest of 173 persons — 140 consumers and 33 peddlers. The biggest seizure this year has been 1,016 kg of synthetic drug raw material valued at ₹19.46 crore, besides 12 kg of ganja. In comparison, police registered 35 NDPS cases in 2025 and seized 42 kg of ganja and 86 grams of synthetic drugs worth ₹30 lakh. The campaign comes amid an intensified State-wide crackdown on narcotics. Between 2023 and 2026, Karnataka Police registered 22,892 NDPS cases, arrested 31,271 accused, and seized 28,292 kg of narcotic substances worth ₹794.55 crore. Police said nearly 70% of those arrested were drug users rather than major traffickers.

Latkar said Mysuru’s anti-drug strategy is built on a Zero Tolerance approach that combines strict law enforcement with preventive and rehabilitative measures. Launched across Karnataka on June 30, 2026, Operation ‘RISE’ — Refuse, Inform, Support and Empower — seeks to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse, encourage them to reject drugs, motivate citizens to report drug-related activities, support victims of addiction and empower communities through awareness initiatives. The ‘BEDA BRO’ campaign is aimed at discouraging youngsters from experimenting with drugs by highlighting the physical, psychological and social consequences of substance abuse. As part of the initiative, police have begun conducting random drug tests in colleges and hostels, organising awareness programmes in educational institutions and setting up anti-drug committees. Citizens have also been encouraged to anonymously report drug-related activities through the police WhatsApp helpline (8277948080).