Bantwal: Vittal Police seized two tipper lorries allegedly transporting illegally mined sand without valid permits and booked two drivers during a raid in Bantwal taluk on Friday. The operation was carried out following credible information about the illegal transportation of sand from Kadaba taluk.
Raid conducted following tip-off
Acting on specific information, Vittal Police Inspector Prakash Devadiga, along with his team, conducted a raid at Ojala in Kula village on the afternoon of July 4.
During the operation, police intercepted two sand-laden tipper lorries bearing registration numbers KA-51-AA-3057 and KA-21-C-6924.
The vehicles were allegedly transporting sand without the mandatory permits or supporting documents required under mining regulations.
Drivers booked
The drivers were identified as Mohammed Irfan (28), a resident of Kodipady in Puttur, and Naushad (26), a resident of Kabaka in Puttur.
According to the police, the two drivers allegedly admitted during questioning that the sand had been loaded illegally from Alankaru in Kadaba taluk and was being transported without valid authorisation.
Following the seizure, both tipper lorries were taken into police custody.
Case registered under BNS and mining laws
Police have registered a case at the Vittal Police Station as Crime No. 149/2026 under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Sections 4(1), 4(1A) and 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and Sections 3 and 44 of the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994.
The case pertains to the alleged illegal extraction and transportation of minor minerals without the necessary permits.
Investigation continues
Police said further investigation is under way to ascertain the source of the sand, identify others involved in the alleged illegal mining and transportation network, and determine whether additional violations have been committed.
Authorities have reiterated that action will continue against illegal sand mining and transportation to curb unauthorised extraction of natural resources and ensure compliance with mining regulations.