Bengaluru/Shivamogga: Karnataka’s Shivamogga Central Jail authorities carried out a major crackdown on narcotics on Friday, uncovering 123 grams of marijuana along with several cigarettes. The discovery occurred when an auto-rickshaw driver arrived outside the jail carrying five sacks of bananas. Police are now investigating the case.
Hidden Marijuana Packets Found in Banana Sacks
The driver claimed he had brought the sacks on the instructions of the jail canteen. Upon inspection, jail security personnel discovered that the sacks had been tampered with. Marijuana packets and cigarettes were cleverly concealed with adhesive tape inside the bananas.
During ongoing checks of the first consignment, a staff member on duty, identified as Satvik, was found with 170 grams of marijuana similarly wrapped in adhesive tape and hidden within his clothing. He was immediately arrested by authorities.
Officials suspect that both incidents are part of the same smuggling operation due to similarities in packaging, timing, and method. It appears that the banana sacks were used to deliver contraband from outside, while the jail staff member assisted from the inside to ensure the items reached their intended recipients.
Police Investigation Underway
The incidents were reported to the Tunga Nagar police. Cases have been registered against the accused under the Karnataka Jail Act and relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities are probing the network further to determine if additional jail staff or outsiders were involved, and how long the operation had been running.
Context: Rising Concerns in Karnataka Jails
This incident follows a recent controversy at Bengaluru Central Jail, where videos of inmates consuming alcohol went viral. Following the exposure, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced comprehensive reforms and strict disciplinary action across state prisons.
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