Mangaluru: The Mangaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) police have arrested three men for allegedly conspiring to transport and sell the banned drug MDMA through courier services. Police seized 1,796.96 grams of MDMA valued at Rs 1.58 crore during an operation near Kumpala in Ullal taluk.

The arrests were made at around 10 pm on October 8 near DMart at Kumpala, following specific information that the accused were allegedly selling MDMA to the public in Mangaluru.

The total value of the seized drugs and other materials, including vehicles and mobile phones, has been estimated at Rs 1,63,84,000, according to the police.

Three accused arrested in CCB operation

The arrested men have been identified as Abdul Hafeel, 25, a resident of Mangalpady in Kasaragod district; Jiyawul Haq, 30, a resident of Kasaba Bengre in Kuloor, Mangaluru; and Altaf, 28, originally from Jalligudde in Bajal and currently residing in Pandeshwar, Mangaluru.

According to the police, the three men were allegedly involved in a plan to procure MDMA from outside Karnataka, transport it to Mangaluru using courier services and distribute it for sale in different parts of Mangaluru and Kerala.

Acting on specific information about the alleged drug sale, the CCB team conducted the operation near Kumpala and apprehended the suspects.

The seizure is part of the investigation into the alleged network and the methods used to transport the contraband without attracting attention.

MDMA concealed inside water purifier

Police said the accused allegedly procured the MDMA from Amritsar in Punjab and devised a method to conceal it during transportation.

According to the investigation, the drug was allegedly hidden inside the water storage compartment of a water purifier before being sent to Mangaluru through courier services.

The use of a household appliance was allegedly intended to conceal the contraband while it was being transported over a long distance.

Police suspect that the accused planned to retrieve the consignment after it reached Mangaluru and distribute the drug in various locations across the coastal city and parts of Kerala.

The seizure of the water purifier and a cardboard courier box is expected to form part of the investigation into the alleged transportation method. Investigators are also examining the suspected supply chain and the circumstances surrounding the procurement and movement of the drug from Punjab.

Drugs and vehicles worth Rs 1.63 crore seized

During the operation, police seized 1,796.96 grams of MDMA, with an estimated value of Rs 1,58,34,000.

Other items seized include:

  • Three mobile phones allegedly used by the accused.
  • A Maruti Suzuki Swift car.
  • An autorickshaw allegedly used for transporting the drugs.
  • A cardboard courier box.
  • A water purifier in which the MDMA was allegedly concealed.

The total value of the seized materials, including the narcotic substance, has been estimated at Rs 1,63,84,000.

The quantity of MDMA recovered and the seizure of the vehicles and other materials are central to the ongoing investigation into the alleged drug trafficking operation.

Police are investigating the roles of the three accused, the source of the consignment and the intended distribution network.

Police cite previous cases involving accused

According to the police, Abdul Hafeel was previously booked in a drug consumption case at Ullal police station.

Jiyawul Haq had reportedly served a three-year prison sentence in a drug trafficking case in Ras Al Khaimah before returning to India, police said.

Altaf also has a previous drug consumption case registered against him at Pandeshwar police station, according to the police.

These details are part of the information released by investigators following the arrests. The allegations in the present case remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.

Ullal police register case, investigation underway

A case has been registered at Ullal police station in connection with the seizure and arrests. Further investigation is underway to establish the full extent of the alleged operation and identify any additional persons who may have been involved.

Police are expected to question the accused regarding the procurement of the MDMA from Amritsar, the alleged use of courier services and the intended distribution of the substance in Mangaluru and Kerala.

The accused are to be produced before the court as part of the legal proceedings.

The police said the operation helped detect and disrupt the alleged drug trafficking network at an early stage, before the consignment could be distributed as planned.

The investigation will focus on tracing the alleged supply chain and determining whether other individuals were involved in procuring, transporting or distributing the contraband.