Bantwal: Bantwal police have seized prohibited MDMA, ganja, a car allegedly used to transport the drugs and five mobile phones in a raid conducted at Kavalapadavu under the Bantwal Rural police station limits on August 12. The total value of the seized drugs and other items has been estimated at around Rs 4.90 lakh.
The operation was conducted by a team led by Bantwal Sub-Divisional Assistant Superintendent of Police Yash Kumar Sharma, IPS. Three persons were taken into custody in connection with the seizure.
MDMA and ganja seized
According to the police, the team seized 22.57 grams of MDMA, valued at approximately Rs 2.25 lakh. The operation also resulted in the seizure of 30.34 grams of ganja.
Apart from the narcotic substances, police seized a car allegedly used for transporting the drugs. Five mobile phones were also recovered during the operation.
The combined value of the seized drugs, vehicle and other items has been estimated at Rs 4.90 lakh.
The seizure forms part of the ongoing efforts by police authorities in Dakshina Kannada to curb the circulation and transportation of narcotic substances in the district.
Three accused taken into custody
Three persons were taken into custody following the raid. The accused have been identified as Nasheer Hussain, 37, of Adyar in Mangaluru; Mohammed Junaid, 38, of Golthamajalu in Bantwal; and Mohammed Afreedi, 24, of Kankanady in Mangaluru.
Police are investigating the alleged involvement of the three accused in the possession and transportation of the prohibited substances.
The authorities are also expected to examine the source of the drugs and determine whether the accused were connected to a wider network involved in the supply or distribution of narcotic substances.
Case registered under NDPS Act
A case has been registered at Bantwal Rural police station under Crime No. 112/2026. The case has been filed under Section 8(C) read with Section 22(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
Section 8(C) of the Act deals with prohibited activities involving narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, while Section 22 concerns offences involving psychotropic substances.
The investigation is currently under way. Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the seizure and the alleged role of the accused.
Further investigation could also establish whether the seized car was regularly being used for transporting narcotic substances and whether the mobile phones contain information related to the alleged drug network.
Team led by Yash Kumar Sharma conducts raid
The raid was conducted under the leadership of Bantwal Sub-Divisional Assistant Superintendent of Police Yash Kumar Sharma, IPS.
Bantwal Rural police station Police Inspector Anantha Padmanabha K V and PSI Ranna Gowda S Patil were part of the operation. Probationary PSIs Shivaram and Fakirappa also participated.
Police personnel Uday Rai, Radhakrishna K, Praveen Rai, Prashanth, Lokesh, Vivek Rai, Kumar, Basavaraj, Sridhar and Dhanyashree assisted in the operation.
Divakar and Sampath from the district technical division provided technical assistance to the police team during the raid.
Police step up action against narcotics
The seizure comes amid continued police action against the possession, transportation and distribution of narcotic substances in Dakshina Kannada.
MDMA, commonly referred to as ecstasy, is a psychotropic substance prohibited under Indian law. Police agencies have been conducting targeted operations to identify suspected drug suppliers and prevent the movement of narcotics through the district.
The recovery of both MDMA and ganja in the latest operation has prompted further investigation into the alleged activities of the accused persons.
The seizure of the vehicle is also significant as investigators will examine whether it was being used specifically for transporting the prohibited substances.
Investigation continues
Following the registration of the case, Bantwal Rural police are continuing their investigation. Officers are expected to gather additional evidence and establish the source and intended destination of the seized drugs.
The five mobile phones recovered during the operation could also be examined as part of the investigation, subject to legal procedures, to determine whether they contain information relevant to the case.
Police have not disclosed further details regarding the alleged supply chain or intended recipients of the drugs as the investigation remains ongoing.
The operation highlights the continued focus of Bantwal police on preventing the movement of narcotic substances and taking action against those allegedly involved in drug-related offences.