Mangaluru: In a significant breakthrough against campus drug trafficking, the City Crime Branch (CCB) of Mangaluru Police has arrested a 29-year-old man from Kerala for allegedly supplying banned narcotic substances to students of several reputed colleges in the city.
The accused, identified as Mohammed Arshad Khan, hails from Moulana Azad Road, Mattancherry, Kochi, in Ernakulam district, Kerala. He had been residing at an apartment in Deralakatte, a locality known for its high concentration of educational institutions and student hostels.
Arrest made in Deralakatte operation
Acting on a tip-off, CCB sleuths launched a surveillance operation and apprehended Khan on August 29 while he was attempting to sell MDMA, hydro weed ganja, and MDMA pills in Deralakatte.
During the arrest, police seized 53.29 grams of MDMA, 2.33 grams of hydro weed ganja, and 0.45 grams of MDMA pills. Additionally, a digital weighing scale, a mobile phone, and other paraphernalia used in drug peddling were recovered.
Officials have estimated the value of the seized narcotics at ₹10.85 lakh, while the total value of all recovered property stands at ₹11,05,500.
Drugs sourced from Bengaluru
According to investigators, Khan sourced synthetic drugs, primarily MDMA, from Bengaluru and supplied them to students in and around Deralakatte. The locality is home to multiple medical, dental, and other professional colleges, making it a hotspot for traffickers targeting young people.
A senior CCB officer stated, “We had credible intelligence about a man selling synthetic drugs near Deralakatte, targeting students. Based on surveillance and field verification, we intercepted and arrested the accused with a significant quantity of contraband. This is a serious concern, especially with educational institutions being targeted by traffickers.”
Wider network suspected
Police suspect that Khan is part of a larger supply and distribution network operating across state lines. Investigators are now working to identify other key players in the racket. Several individuals are believed to be involved, and more arrests are expected in the coming days.
A case has been registered at Konaje Police Station under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Crackdown on narcotics near campuses
Authorities have expressed concern over the growing trend of synthetic drugs being peddled near educational zones, where young and impressionable students are the primary targets.
The CCB has intensified its operations to identify hotspots, monitor suspects, and prevent drug-related offences in and around campuses. The swift action of the CCB team in nabbing Khan has been widely praised for safeguarding student communities from substance abuse.
Police have assured that they will continue to crack down on traffickers and dismantle networks deeply embedded in urban areas. “These networks are often deeply embedded and target the youth. We’re intensifying our efforts to dismantle them completely,” the officer added.
Conclusion
The arrest marks a major step in curbing narcotics trafficking in Mangaluru’s educational hubs. With further investigations underway, police are hopeful of unearthing the entire network behind the supply of banned substances in the region.