Dog squad to be raised to tackle drug menace in Karnataka prisons

Karnataka establishes dog squads to combat narcotics in prisons due to increased cases of drug use.

In the light of increased cases of use of narcotics in prisons across the State, Karnataka is establishing dog squads to sniff out narcotics in prisons.

“Despite surveillance, drugs find entry into prisons and it becomes difficult for humans to identify them. Hence, we are planning to raise dog squads to be deployed in prisons,” Home Minister G. Parameshwara told the Legislative Council in response to a question to BJP member Prathap Simha Nayak on the security in prisons.

Till now, sniffer dogs from the K-9 canine squad were being used whenever there was requirement. He said that several steps are being taken for strict surveillance, including installation of 280 AI-empowered cameras, jammers in 66 prisons, and baggage scanners and walkie talkies bought from funds released by Centre Personnel of Karnataka Industrial Security Force.

The Minister also said that 248 cases had been registered for illegal activities in prison and nine cases registered against 22 prison personnel for colluding in illegal activities.