Fresh Narcotics Haul inside Banana Stems Raises Serious Concerns over Karnataka Prison Security
Shivamogga jail officials uncover narcotics hidden in banana stems amid broader prison security concerns.
Prison authorities in Shivamogga foiled an elaborate smuggling attempt on Friday after discovering 123 grams of marijuana and dozens of cigarettes concealed inside hollowed-out banana stems delivered to the central jail. The contraband was found when an auto-rickshaw driver dropped off five sacks of bananas outside the prison gate, claiming they were meant for the jail canteen, before speeding away. A routine check revealed the banana stalks had been carefully slit open and stuffed with packets wrapped in gum tape.
Minutes later, a second seizure occurred when a junior assistant (SDA) staff member, Satwik, reporting for duty, was caught with 170 grams of marijuana hidden in his innerwear, packed in an identical manner. Officials believe both incidents were part of a coordinated operation, with the banana delivery serving as an external drop and the staffer intended to act as the internal receiver. Satwik has been detained, and both cases are registered under the NDPS Act and the Karnataka Prison Act.
The twin discoveries have raised fresh concerns over security lapses inside Karnataka’s prisons. They come just weeks after viral videos exposed high-profile inmates at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison openly consuming liquor, using mobile phones, and partying—footage that included scenes from as recent as 2025. Four individuals have already been charged in connection with those videos, prompting Home Minister G. Parameshwara to announce sweeping reforms.
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Authorities have launched a detailed probe to identify other staff or outsiders involved in the Shivamogga smuggling network and to determine how long such operations may have been running undetected. Prison sources said enhanced frisking protocols and surprise checks are being implemented across the state’s jails to curb the growing nexus between insiders and external suppliers of narcotics and prohibited items.
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