Mangaluru: The City Crime Branch (CCB) police have arrested three persons at Arkula on charges of allegedly supplying drugs to local peddlers in Mangaluru after sourcing them from Bengaluru. Acting on specific intelligence, the police seized 87.4 grams of MDMA from the accused during the operation, city police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH said.
The arrests were made following a tip-off that a group was transporting narcotic substances from Bengaluru to Mangaluru for distribution. Based on this information, a CCB team laid a trap and intercepted the suspects while they were travelling towards Mangaluru in a car.
Accused intercepted while travelling from Bengaluru
Police said the accused were apprehended at Arkula when their vehicle was stopped and searched. During the inspection, officers recovered MDMA in different quantities from each of the three individuals travelling in the car.
The arrested have been identified as Ahmed Shabith (35), a native of Ulaibettu who is presently residing at Shantiyangadi in BC Road; Mohammed Shamsheer, a resident of Kaikamba in BC Road; and Noushina (27), a resident of Sarapadi in Bantwal taluk.
MDMA recovered from all three accused
According to the police, a total of 87.4 grams of MDMA was seized during the operation. Of this, 60.5 grams was recovered from Ahmed Shabith, 15.3 grams from Mohammed Shamsheer, and 11.5 grams from Noushina.
Officials said the drugs were concealed on their persons and inside the vehicle, indicating an attempt to evade detection while transporting the contraband.
Police allege organised drug supply network
City police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH stated that preliminary investigation revealed that Ahmed Shabith, along with others, was allegedly systematically involved in supplying MDMA from Bengaluru to drug peddlers operating in Mangaluru.
Police believe the group was part of a larger network involved in procuring and distributing synthetic drugs in the coastal city. Further investigation is underway to identify other links in the supply chain, including suppliers in Bengaluru and local peddlers in Mangaluru.
Accused produced before court
After completing the initial investigation and seizure formalities, the arrested persons were produced before a jurisdictional court. The court remanded all three accused to judicial custody.
Police said additional charges under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act are likely to be invoked as the investigation progresses.
Crackdown on drug trafficking continues
Officials reiterated that the Mangaluru city police are continuing their crackdown on drug trafficking and narcotics distribution networks. The CCB has intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering to curb the inflow of drugs from other cities into the district.
Police have urged the public to share information related to drug trafficking, assuring strict confidentiality and prompt action.
Conclusion
The arrest of the three accused and the seizure of MDMA highlight the ongoing efforts of the Mangaluru police to dismantle organised drug supply networks. Authorities have stressed that stringent legal action will be taken against those involved in narcotics trafficking to safeguard public health and safety.