Bengaluru: In a brazen operation carried out almost under the nose of city cops, a 30-year-old alleged drug peddler was running a cocaine delivery racket just 100 metres from Chamarajpet police station, using bike-based logistics services to ferry narcotics across Bengaluru. The racket came to light after police personnel noticed an unusual stream of delivery bikes arriving every few minutes, leading to the seizure of cocaine worth nearly Rs 50 lakh.The accused, Raju, a native of Uttar Pradesh residing on Begur Main Road, was arrested after police observed suspicious activity near an apartment on Conservancy Road, barely 100m from the police station.According to police, logistics service bikes began arriving at the location every 15 to 20 minutes around midnight on July 19. Instead of delivering parcels to apartment residents, the riders collected small packets from a man standing beside a car bearing registration number CG-04-EJ-6847. The repeated movement of delivery bikes caught the attention of a team led by inspector Kiran V. Sub-inspector Guruswamy A and his team received inputs from an informant, who confirmed that the parcels contained narcotics.Police intercepted one of the delivery riders and questioned him about the parcel he was carrying. They found it had been booked by Raju. Investigators also discovered that although the delivery charge was only Rs 50, Raju allegedly paid the riders nearly Rs 300 as tip to ensure fast deliveries and avoid delays.When officers opened the parcel, they found cocaine concealed inside small chocolate boxes, allegedly packed to avoid suspicion during transport through the logistics service.Police arrested Raju at the spot around 12.10am. Another accused, Akshit, is absconding and efforts are on to trace him.During interrogation, investigators questioned Raju about the source of the cocaine, the intended recipients, the duration of his alleged drug trafficking activities, and whether he was part of a larger interstate drug distribution network.A senior police officer said 116.3 grams of cocaine, valued at nearly Rs 50 lakh, and the car allegedly used in the operation were seized. Preliminary investigation suggests the accused’s customers were largely students, IT professionals, and businessmen.A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Chamarajpet police station. Raju has been remanded in judicial custody while the police probe continues.
