In a well-coordinated operation near Shantinagar in Nagendranamatti, the Haveri Town police arrested five men and seized 14 kg of marijuana valued at ₹6.9 lakh, which was allegedly brought in from Odisha for local distribution.

The arrested individuals are:

  • Yaseen Mohammad Nasheepudi (Nagendranamatti),

  • Abdul Rehman Khajasab Mainuddin Dambal (Taj Nagar, Gadag),

  • Sanjay Ravi Chatrad,

  • Karthik Ramesh Pujar, and

  • Shivaraj Devindrappa Karemannavar — all from various parts of Byadgi.

    • Police acted on a tip-off, intercepting the gang in a Maruti Suzuki car (KA 68, 5740). They also confiscated a mobile phone believed to be used for coordination.

    Yaseen, identified as a construction laborer, was previously booked in two cases at the CEN police station in Haveri. The remaining four suspects have no prior criminal records, according to officials.

    The anti-drug operation was supervised by SP Anshu Kumar, ASP Laxman Shirkol, and DSP MS Patil, with Inspector Mothilal Pawar heading the ground team. The SP commended the officers for their swift action and teamwork.