Kalaburagi police detain ganja peddler under PIT-NDPS Act

Kalaburagi: Kalaburagi City police have arrested Ramesh Kale, a 58-year-old alleged ganja peddler, under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, 1988, and detained him in Shivamogga central jail, city police commissioner Sharanappa SD said.

Kale, a resident of Bapu Nagar on Sedam Road, is an A-class rowdy-sheeter at Brahmapura police station. Police said 17 NDPS cases were registered against him between 2020 and 2026 for collection, transportation and sale of narcotics, including ganja, across various police stations in Kalaburagi city.

In 2022, he was exiled to Bhagamandal police station limits in Kodagu district. However, police said two cases were registered against him during the exile period when he again engaged in the sale of ganja while appearing for court hearings.

In Case No 01/2024, Kale gave a written assurance that he would not disturb law and order for one year. However, he violated the condition by getting involved in Case No 14/2024 of Brahmapura police station, for which he was fined Rs 25,000.

Police said investigations showed he repeatedly engaged in the sale, storage and transportation of prohibited drugs, posing a threat to public health and the future of youth.

Based on this, the Karnataka Anti-Narcotics Task Force additional director general of police issued an order under Section 3(1) of the PIT-NDPS Act for his detention.