Beltangady: A 21-year-old youth who was reportedly scheduled to fly to Dubai for employment on Wednesday evening instead landed in judicial custody after the Beltangady police arrested him in connection with an alleged narcotics racket and seized MDMA, ganja, vehicles and other property worth Rs 15.41 lakh.

The arrested accused has been identified as Twalah alias Ansar (21), a resident of Sunnathkere in Kuvettu village. Police have also booked another accused, Hamzath Karar (31), a resident of Aladikottige in Kuvettu village, who allegedly fled from the spot and remains absconding.

Suspicious movement leads to arrest

According to the police, the breakthrough came during a routine patrol conducted by Sub-Inspector Anand M and his team at around 8 pm on July 29.

While patrolling near a private building at Pilichandikallu in Kuvettu village, the officers noticed a man behaving suspiciously near an autorickshaw bearing registration KA-18-A-7203.

On spotting the police vehicle, the suspect allegedly attempted to escape. However, the police intercepted and detained him before he could flee.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect identified himself as Twalah alias Ansar.

Probe reveals alleged ganja deal

During interrogation, Twalah allegedly disclosed that he had paid an advance of Rs 20,000 to Hamzath Karar for the purchase of ganja, intending to resell the contraband for profit.

Police said Twalah informed investigators that Hamzath had arrived at the location in a car bearing registration KA-21-MA-4990 and allegedly handed over 500 grams of ganja.

However, on noticing the police presence, Hamzath reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene before he could be apprehended.

Investigators have launched a search to trace the absconding accused.

MDMA recovered from abandoned vehicle

Following the disclosure, police searched the abandoned car and recovered 76 grams of MDMA, a synthetic narcotic substance.

The seized MDMA has an estimated market value of Rs 7.60 lakh, police said.

Further searches also led to the recovery of 20 grams of ganja, valued at Rs 1,498, from Twalah’s possession.

Apart from the narcotics, officers seized a mobile phone worth Rs 30,000 and other articles valued at Rs 200.

Property worth Rs 15.41 lakh seized

Police seized the following items during the operation:

  • 76 grams of MDMA
  • 20 grams of ganja
  • Car (KA-21-MA-4990)
  • Autorickshaw (KA-18-A-7203)
  • Mobile phone
  • Other miscellaneous articles

The total value of the seized narcotics, vehicles and other property has been estimated at Rs 15,41,698.

Police believe the seizure has dealt a significant blow to the alleged drug distribution network operating in the region.

NDPS case registered

Based on the evidence gathered during the operation, the Beltangady police registered a case on July 29 against Hamzath Karar (31) and Twalah alias Ansar (21) under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(A) and 27A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

While Twalah has been taken into custody, efforts are continuing to trace Hamzath, who is suspected to have escaped immediately after spotting the police team.

Further investigation is under way to ascertain the source of the narcotics and identify any additional persons connected to the alleged racket.

Dubai plans cut short

Police produced Twalah before the jurisdictional court on July 30, where he was remanded to judicial custody.

Investigators said the accused was preparing to leave for Dubai later that evening to take up employment. However, his alleged involvement in the narcotics case resulted in his arrest just hours before his planned departure, bringing his overseas employment plans to an abrupt halt.

Team behind the operation

The operation was carried out under the guidance of Beltangady Sub-Divisional DySP Rohini C K and Circle Inspector Ravi B S.

The raid was led by Sub-Inspector Anand M and Sikandar Pasha, with assistance from police personnel Satish Nayak, Prakash Poojary, Srinivas, Hanumantha, Nanda, Jagadish Attaje, Pramod, Dundappa Poojary, Srinivas, driver Satish, and members of the SOCO team, Kavyashree and Arpita.

Police said the investigation is continuing to uncover the full extent of the alleged narcotics network and to apprehend the absconding accused.