Mangaluru: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) police have arrested six individuals for allegedly smuggling narcotic substances from Mumbai and selling them to customers in Mangaluru and nearby areas. The arrests, carried out over two days, led to the seizure of MDMA and cocaine worth over ₹24 lakh.
Drugs worth over ₹24 lakh seized
The accused were identified as Chirag Sanil of Kavoor, Alvin Clinton D’Souza of Ashok Nagar, E.K. Abdul Karim of Mallapuram in Kerala, Janan of Kulashekara, Rajesh Bangera of Boloor, and Varun Ganiga of Dambel. Except for Karim, all others were residents of Mangaluru.
The CCB team seized 111.83 grams of MDMA valued at ₹22.3 lakh and 21.03 grams of cocaine valued at ₹1.9 lakh.
Arrests carried out in phases
Acting on a tip-off, the CCB sleuths raided a location at Malli Layout, Gandhi Nagar, Kavoor, on Sunday. During the operation, Chirag Sanil and Alvin Clinton D’Souza attempted to flee on a scooter but were caught. Upon searching them, police recovered 111.83 grams of MDMA.
The next day, based on information provided by Sanil, the police arrested Abdul Karim near Mangaluru Central Railway Station. Karim had allegedly financed the drug purchase from an African citizen in Mumbai.
In a follow-up action, the police arrested Janan, Bangera, and Ganiga near the Central Warehouse in Mannagudde on Sunday. These three had procured narcotics from Sanil, D’Souza, and Karim. Police recovered 21.03 grams of cocaine during this arrest.
Cases booked under NDPS Act
According to the police statement, cases were registered against Sanil, D’Souza, and Karim at Kavoor Police Station under Sections 8(C), 21(C), and 22(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Meanwhile, Janan, Bangera, and Ganiga, along with two others, were booked under Sections 8(C) and 22(B) of the NDPS Act at Barke Police Station.
All six accused were produced before the jurisdictional magistrate, who remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody. Investigations are ongoing to trace other links in the supply chain.
Crackdown on drug peddling in coastal Karnataka
The arrests form part of CCB’s larger crackdown on drug trafficking networks in the coastal belt of Karnataka. Police officials stated that they are committed to dismantling peddling rackets operating between Mumbai and Mangaluru. They also urged citizens to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities.
Conclusion
The CCB’s swift action has prevented the circulation of narcotics worth lakhs in Mangaluru’s markets. Authorities emphasised that efforts to monitor and curb interstate drug smuggling will continue, with more arrests likely as investigations progress.