Mangaluru: In a major anti-drug operation, Kankanady Town Police arrested two alleged drug peddlers and seized MDMA valued at Rs 46.5 lakh during a raid conducted at Jeppinamogaru in Mangaluru city on Sunday.
Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH said the action was carried out based on credible intelligence inputs about narcotics being transported on a two-wheeler for distribution within the city.
Interception and seizure
Acting swiftly on the tip-off, police personnel intercepted a motorcycle at Jeppinamogaru. Upon searching the vehicle and its occupants, officers recovered 465.8 grams of MDMA, a synthetic party drug, from their possession.
The seized contraband has been estimated to be worth approximately Rs 46,50,000 in the illegal market, marking one of the significant drug hauls in the region in recent months.
Accused identified
The arrested individuals have been identified as Parvez alias Dawood Parvez (40), a resident of Pilaru Hosagadde, and Nazrath Ali (37), also from Pilaru.
According to police, Parvez is believed to be the primary आरोपी involved in procuring and distributing narcotics, while Nazrath Ali allegedly assisted him in the operation.
Targeting youth and students
Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused had been targeting youths and college students in Mangaluru. Police said Parvez allegedly sourced MDMA in bulk quantities from outside the district and attempted to distribute it locally through a network.
Officials expressed concern over the increasing attempts by drug peddlers to target younger populations, particularly students, by supplying synthetic drugs in urban areas.
History of offences
Police records indicate that Parvez is a habitual offender with multiple cases registered against him in connection with drug trafficking. These cases span several police stations, including Pandeshwar, Vamanjoor, Bunder, Amruthahalli, and Udupi CEN Police Station.
Authorities said his repeated involvement in narcotics-related activities had placed him under surveillance, which aided in the recent operation.
Nazrath Ali, on the other hand, is suspected to have played a supporting role in the peddling activities, though further investigation is underway to determine the extent of his involvement.
Investigation underway
Police have registered a case and initiated further investigation to trace the source of the MDMA and identify other individuals who may be part of the supply chain. Efforts are also being made to determine whether the accused were linked to a larger drug distribution network operating across districts.
Officials stated that strict action will be taken against all those involved in narcotics trafficking and reiterated their commitment to curbing the drug menace in the city.
Conclusion
The seizure of MDMA worth Rs 46.5 lakh underscores the persistent challenge posed by drug trafficking in coastal Karnataka. With the accused now in custody, police aim to dismantle the wider network and prevent the spread of narcotics, particularly among vulnerable youth.