Bengaluru drug peddlers use drop location method

Drug dealers in Bengaluru are increasingly using a method called "drop location" to avoid being caught by law enforcement. This technique is becoming popular, especially among foreign nationals. With this method, drug peddlers hide narcotics in discreet places, such as trees or park benches. They then send photos and the exact location to their customers via instant messaging apps like WhatsApp. Customers go to the drop location to pick up the drugs and pay online. This way, the peddlers avoid direct contact with their buyers and reduce the risk of police detection. The Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bengaluru has reported challenges in policing this method. Police inspector Lakshminarayana K. filed a complaint against a foreign suspect who was observed dropping MDMA packets in Kengeri. Despite the complaint, the suspect remains at large weeks later. Police are finding it difficult to track these operations because communication and payment are done online. A senior police officer mentioned that following messages on WhatsApp is nearly impossible and complicates their investigations. Although this method is not brand new, it continues to evolve, making it a significant challenge for law enforcement. In 2021, the CCB had previously apprehended a gang using a similar approach.