Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara Thursday said more than 300 foreign nationals who were staying in Karnataka and arrested in drug peddling have been deported to their home countries.
He was speaking at the ongoing Legislative Council session, where he stated that the government has zero tolerance towards the drug menace. Responding to a question by MLC K Abdul Jabbar, the minister said, “The production, sale, and consumption of narcotics are increasing day by day globally. The sale of narcotics has transformed into a highly profitable business for sellers. Interstate and international networks are operating for enormous profits. Since these networks are active in almost all countries worldwide, this drug problem has become universal.”
Speaking about foreign nationals who are part of it, he said, “Some of the foreign nationals who were caught in drug peddling are happy to be caught, which makes them overstaying in India as they face court cases (despite being overstaying). We are ensuring they are being deported. However, it is tedious, as embassies/consulates are involved in deporting them. We have deported about 300 foreign nationals.”
“This is a constant effort that the police department is making, and they are also visiting schools and colleges across the state to create awareness. In one day in Bengaluru, the police visited 1,000 education institutions, and we will continue to do it,” he said.
Responding to a question by member K Abdul Jabbar during the question hour in the Legislative Council, the minister said that the production, sale, and consumption of narcotics are increasing day by day globally.
“The sale of narcotics has transformed into a highly profitable business for sellers. Interstate and international networks are operating for enormous profits. Since these networks are active in almost all countries worldwide, this drug problem has become universal. The state government has taken various measures to prevent the consumption and sale of narcotics in the state.”
Drug cases: what the numbers say
According to the home department data, 4,168 cases were registered in 2024 and 1,833 were convicted and 2,214 are pending trial. In 2025, the numbers increased to 5,747 cases across the state, and 1,079 were convicted, and 3,414 are pending before the trial.
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According to Bengaluru city police data shared in the first week of December, Bengaluru reported 1,078 drug-related offences, arresting 1,543 persons, including 52 foreign nationals and seizure of 1,446.75kg drugs worth Rs 160 crore.
Parameshwara said an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has been established under the Additional Director General of Police to combat and prevent the spread of narcotics in the state. This is the country’s first task force dedicated exclusively to combating drugs, and it is visiting all the districts.
Surprise visits are conducted to parcel services, courier centres, resorts, and farmhouses, and special patrolling is carried out to prevent drug parties in urban outskirts. All unit officers are informed to conduct district-level National Narcotics Coordination Portal (NCORD) meetings every month, he said.
Parameshwara said that instructions are also given to all unit officers through video conferencing to take strict action under the NDPS Act against persons found involved in the sale and production of narcotics.
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“We have also informed the landlords who rent houses for foreign nationals to inform the police, and if they violate, we are prepared to demolish the buildings,” he added.