Mangaluru: Mangaluru police have arrested four persons in two separate cases for allegedly attempting to sell the banned narcotic substance MDMA in the city. Cases have been registered against the accused under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The arrested have been identified as Mohammed Nadeem (27), a resident near Lido Mall in Halasuru, Bengaluru; Umarul Farooq (30), a resident of Uchila in Someshwar, Ullal; Imthiyaz Ismail Kinya (41), a resident of Kinya on K.C. Road; and Dhanush (29), a resident of Suraksha Nagar in Kumpala.
Three arrested in lodge raid
Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) officers arrested three of the accused after receiving credible information that MDMA was being stored at a lodge in Bendore for sale.
Acting on the tip-off, the CCB team conducted a raid and apprehended Mohammed Nadeem, Umarul Farooq and Imthiyaz Ismail Kinya.
During the operation, police seized 35.53 grams of MDMA and Rs 7,030 in cash from their possession. The seized contraband and cash were taken into custody as evidence.
Following the raid, the three accused were handed over to the Kadri Police Station, where a case was registered under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
The accused were later produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
Separate raid in Bolara
In a separate operation, police arrested Dhanush near Mulihithlu in Bolara for allegedly attempting to sell MDMA.
Acting on specific information regarding illegal drug activity in the area, personnel from the Pandeshwar Police Station conducted a raid and apprehended the accused.
Police seized 2.32 grams of MDMA from his possession during the operation.
The accused was subsequently produced before the court, and further investigation has been initiated to ascertain the source of the narcotic substance and whether he had links to a larger drug distribution network.
Police intensify anti-drug operations
The arrests come amid intensified efforts by Mangaluru police to curb the trafficking and sale of narcotic substances in the city. Authorities have been conducting frequent raids and surveillance operations as part of an ongoing crackdown on drug peddling.
Officials said investigations are underway in both cases to determine the origin of the seized MDMA and identify any other individuals involved in the illegal trade.
Police have also appealed to the public to share information regarding drug-related activities and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in combating the drug menace in the region.
The latest seizures are being viewed as another significant step in the city’s continued efforts to tackle narcotics trafficking and prevent the spread of drug abuse, particularly among young people.