Bantwal: Bantwal Rural police have busted an alleged narcotics trafficking network and arrested a 35-year-old Bengaluru resident after recovering MDMA, cocaine and other articles valued at an estimated Rs 1,05,59,450.

The arrest followed specific information received by Police Sub-Inspector Manjunath T of Bantwal Rural police station on August 16 that narcotic substances were allegedly being transported from the Hassan side towards Mangaluru.

Acting swiftly on the information, Manjunath T and his team intercepted a car bearing registration number KA-01-MA-1284 late at night. The driver was identified as Mohammed Ameer Jartab, 35, a resident of Kengeri in Bengaluru.

Police intercept car based on information

According to the police, the vehicle was intercepted after officers received information about the suspected transportation of narcotic substances towards Mangaluru.

During questioning, Jartab reportedly admitted that narcotic substances were being transported in the car. Police subsequently conducted a detailed search of the vehicle.

The search resulted in the recovery of a substantial quantity of MDMA and cocaine. Police also recovered empty plastic containers, a digital weighing machine and other articles allegedly linked to the transportation and handling of the substances.

The seizure has led to the registration of a case under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

MDMA worth Rs 53.86 lakh seized

Police recovered 538.63 grams of MDMA from the vehicle. The seized substance was estimated to be worth Rs 53,86,300.

MDMA, commonly referred to as ecstasy, is a psychotropic substance prohibited under the NDPS Act. The quantity recovered in the operation has prompted police to investigate the source of the substance and its intended destination.

The recovery of a digital weighing machine and empty plastic containers has also become part of the investigation, as officers examine whether the material was allegedly being prepared for distribution.

Police are expected to investigate how the accused allegedly obtained the narcotics and whether other individuals were involved in transporting or distributing them.

Cocaine valued at Rs 49.56 lakh recovered

Along with MDMA, officers recovered 99.12 grams of cocaine from the car. The estimated value of the cocaine was put at Rs 49,56,000.

The combined estimated value of the recovered MDMA and cocaine was approximately Rs 1.03 crore. Including the value of the other seized property, the total estimated value of the recovered items stood at Rs 1,05,59,450.

The seizure represents a significant narcotics haul for the local police and has raised questions about the network allegedly operating behind the transportation of the drugs.

Case registered under NDPS Act

Bantwal Rural police have registered a case in connection with the seizure. The case has been registered under Crime No. 113/2026.

The accused has been booked under Section 8(C), read with Sections 22(C) and 21(B) of the NDPS Act, 1985.

Section 8(C) deals with restrictions relating to activities involving narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, while Sections 21 and 22 cover offences relating to manufactured drugs and psychotropic substances respectively.

The application of the relevant provisions will form part of the ongoing investigation, during which police will establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged possession and transportation of the substances.

Investigation focuses on wider network

Although one person has been arrested in the operation, police are continuing their investigation to determine whether the accused was acting alone or as part of a wider trafficking network.

Investigators are likely to examine the route allegedly used for transporting the narcotics, the source from which the substances were obtained and the intended destination.

The information received by the police indicated that the substances were allegedly being transported from the Hassan side towards Mangaluru. Establishing the complete supply chain could help investigators identify other persons involved in the alleged operation.

The seized digital weighing machine and containers may also provide additional clues regarding the handling and intended distribution of the narcotics.

Police intensify action against drug trafficking

The seizure comes amid continued efforts by police and enforcement agencies in coastal Karnataka to curb the movement and distribution of narcotic substances.

Drug trafficking cases often involve transportation across district boundaries, making intelligence gathering and coordinated enforcement important for identifying supply routes.

The Bantwal Rural police operation highlights the role of specific information in intercepting suspected narcotics transportation. Acting on the information, officers were able to stop the vehicle and conduct a search that resulted in the recovery of the substances.

Authorities are expected to continue monitoring routes connecting the coastal region with other parts of Karnataka as part of efforts to prevent narcotics from reaching local markets.

Further investigation underway

The accused, Mohammed Ameer Jartab, has been arrested in connection with the case, while further investigation is underway.

Police will now seek to establish the source and intended destination of the seized narcotics and determine whether additional persons were involved. The investigation could also reveal whether the alleged transportation was part of a larger supply chain operating between different districts.

The recovery of more than half a kilogram of MDMA and nearly 100 grams of cocaine, with the total seized property valued at more than Rs 1.05 crore, makes the case significant.

As the investigation progresses, police are expected to gather further evidence regarding the alleged trafficking operation and take action against any additional persons found to be involved.