29 drug cases in 15 days, 12 held in 1 wk

Bhopal: Bhopal police registered 29 drug cases over the past 15 days under a special anti-narcotics drive, launched earlier this month, seizing ganja, hashish and MD drugs.Senior police officials said ganja (cannabis) was recovered in most of the cases, while charas (hashish) was seized in one instance by the Crime Branch. In two separate cases, MD drugs were also recovered. In the past week alone, more than a dozen accused have been arrested.A senior cop said Many individuals, particularly from economically weaker sections, are turning to the illegal trade due to low investment and high returns—often earning eight to ten times their cost.Police said that many youngsters are getting addicted to ganja due to its affordability and easy availability. Some college students reportedly use it to stay awake and focus during studies, while others consume it as a pre-workout stimulant.Police said drug peddlers have become increasingly aware of NDPS Act provisions and are adapting accordingly. Many now avoid stocking more than 1kg of ganja at a time to reduce legal risk and increase chances of securing bail if caught.Police commissioner Sanjay Kumar said that a major anti-drug operation being run across the state aims to completely end this menace within three years.