Mangaluru: Police arrest 11 students in major drug seizure
In a major anti-narcotics operation, Mangaluru South Police arrested 11 second-year BBA students hailing from Kerala after recovering over 12 kilograms of cannabis from their rented accommodation in Attavar. The raid took place near Kaprigudde Mosque, leading to the seizure of drugs, mobile phones and weighing equipment, together valued at more than ₹3.5 lakh.
Details of the raid
According to police officials, the seized cannabis weighed 12.26 kilograms and had been split into seven separate parcels. The market value of the contraband is estimated at around ₹2.45 lakh. The police also confiscated weighing machines worth ₹2,000 and mobile phones valued at ₹1.05 lakh, bringing the total seizure to ₹3.52 lakh.
Source and supply chain under probe
Preliminary investigations suggest that the narcotics were procured from Odisha. Police are now working to trace the wider supply chain and verify how the consignment reached Mangaluru. Officials stated that the packaging and quantity indicate the drugs were meant for distribution rather than personal use.
Case registered under NDPS Act
A case has been registered at Mangaluru South Police Station under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The law treats possession of such quantities as a commercial offense, carrying stringent punishment including rigorous imprisonment.
Concerns over student involvement
The arrests have raised concerns about the increasing involvement of students in drug networks. Authorities fear that such cases may indicate a larger nexus targeting educational hubs like Mangaluru, which has a sizeable student population from neighbouring Kerala. Police officials emphasised that educational institutions and parents must remain vigilant against such trends.
Conclusion
The case underscores the continuing challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing the drug menace in coastal Karnataka. With investigations underway, police are expected to expand their probe to uncover the entire network behind the supply of cannabis to students.