Ignorance of Law is no Excuse for Drug Peddlers – CP Dr Harsha
Mangaluru: “To curb the drug menace, the city police have committed themselves and are working 24X7. We are tracking the prime players in drug peddling. On November 6, morning four interstate drug peddlers were arrested from Thokkottu and 10 kg Ganja was seized. Ignorance of the law is no excuse for drug peddling. We need to uproot the drug menace in the society”, said police commissioner Dr Harsha in a press meet held at his office here on November 6.
Addressing the mediapersons Dr Harsha said, “I have been appealing to the educational institutions to monitor their hostels and campuses. In the coming days, we will issue search warrants from the court and raid hostels and campuses. If we find any drugs in the hostels or campuses, the management will also be held responsible. I once again appeal to the educational institutions to check their hostels form time to time since we have information that drugs are available in some of the college campuses as well as in the hostels. It is the duty and responsibility of the Institution authorities to monitor their campus through internal committees. We have given enough opportunity and time for the educational institutions to stop drugs from entering their campus. PGs, Hostels, Canteens in the educational institutions should be free from drugs”.
Dr Harsha further said, “Today we have seized 10 kg of Ganja and a vehicle from the interstate drug peddlers. The vehicle which we have seized is registered in Mumbai. We will contact the Mumbai police to collect additional information about the accused. Youngsters being involved in drug peddling is a danger sign. The government has given clear instructions in this regard and we have directed our police to arrest the drug peddlers. Whoever they are, however influential they might be, drug peddlers will be arrested. We have also information that drug peddlers are using public transport. Those who unknowingly carry drugs along with vegetables or flowers by bus/trucks will also be severely punished. Ignorance of the law is no excuse for peddling drugs. Those who are carrying drugs along with flowers, vegetables or other means for some money, they will also be punished under the NDPS act. Any courier Company or anyone transporting drugs without verifying the packets/parcel will also be severely punished under the NDPS act”.
Dr Harsha also said, “We have displayed the photographs of the drug peddlers and Suppliers, so far photographs of 20 drug peddlers have been displayed. For drug addicts, after the legal process, we will give them an opportunity to change and help them to get out of the addiction. We have been continuously appealing to the institutions to monitor their campuses and hostels. We were restrained in our approach because if the police go to the campuses, the Institutions will get a bad name. This is the last request to them, if anyone fails to act, the police will take necessary action through court orders. We will ask the court for police custody of the four interstate drug peddlers so that we can get to know where the drugs come from. Support and technical help of the national agencies will also be taken to tackle the drug menace”.
“I have personally visited the educational institutions to monitor their campuses. There is a good response, we will take court orders to raid campuses of those who are not co-operating. I hope all will join hands to curb the drug menace in Mangaluru”, said Dr Harsha.
