Bengaluru police have busted a racket involving the sale of chocolates laced with charas, an illegal opioid derived from cannabis. The chocolates, deceptively labeled as Ayurvedic medicine, were being sold across Bengaluru and its outskirts. Priced between Rs10 and Rs100 depending on size, the chocolates were reportedly available at select paan-beeda shops, according to the police investigation.
The Jigani police, part of Bengaluru Rural, recently apprehended six individuals in connection with the drug-peddling operation. Among those arrested were Jeetu Bisambar Singh (24), a courier agent from Rajajinagar, who is identified as the prime suspect. He reportedly sourced the charas chocolates from Monu, a supplier based in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The chocolates were transported via private courier services. The other accused include Anand Kumar Singh (30), Abhay Goswami (24) from Rajajinagar, B Somu Singh (19) of Kanakapura Road, and Sooraj Singh (28) from HBR Layout. Except for Anand Kumar Singh, who hails from Jharkhand, the rest are originally from Uttar Pradesh.
Police seized more than 10,000 charas-laced chocolates, valued at ₹10 lakh. The chocolates were disguised in packaging labeled as “Mahakal Munakka Vati,” a legitimate Ayurvedic product known for selling bhang golis legally. The suspects took advantage of the branding to mislead buyers and authorities.
Acting on a tip-off, Bengaluru district superintendent of police CK Baba formed a special team under Jigani police inspector BS Manjunath. The operation led to the successful tracking and arrest of the suspects involved in the distribution network.
According to the police, the charas chocolates were predominantly sold to daily wage workers and students from local colleges and schools. However, authorities are still working to identify specific educational institutions involved. “We are collaborating with Uttar Pradesh police and have shared critical information about the manufacturing and distribution of these charas chocolates,” said CK Baba.
The case highlights an emerging trend of drug peddlers disguising narcotics as Ayurvedic medicines, posing new challenges for law enforcement agencies. Further investigations are underway to track the broader network involved in the manufacture and distribution of the contraband chocolates.
