Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) police arrested a 36-year-old man on charges of allegedly peddling drugs and seized 23.20 grams of MDMA valued at Rs 1.15 lakh from his possession.

The arrest was made on the evening of September 23 following a tip-off about the alleged sale of narcotic substances in the area. CCB officers and personnel conducted an operation and apprehended the accused while he was allegedly waiting to sell the contraband.

Accused held near Arkula junction

The accused has been identified as Subhash, 36, son of Ammu Poojary and a resident of Vaishali Nilaya, Nalade House in Meramajalu village of Bantwal taluk.

According to the police, the CCB team acted on reliable information and conducted a search near National Highway 73, opposite Yashasvi Hall near Arkula junction in Mangaluru taluk.

The accused was allegedly found waiting by the roadside with the intention of selling the drugs. The police subsequently detained him and seized the suspected contraband and other items allegedly connected with the activity.

During the operation, the CCB recovered 23.20 grams of MDMA, with the seized substance valued by the police at approximately Rs 1,15,000.

Two mobile phones and a weighing scale were also seized during the operation.

Following the arrest, the accused and the seized articles were handed over to the Kankanady city police station for further legal action and investigation.

Case registered under NDPS Act

A case has been registered at the Kankanady city police station under Crime No. 133/2026.

The accused has been booked under Sections 8(c) and 22(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Section 8(c) of the NDPS Act deals with restrictions relating to activities involving narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, while Section 22 deals with contraventions involving psychotropic substances.

The police have initiated further investigation to determine the source of the seized MDMA and establish whether other individuals were involved in the alleged drug-peddling network.

Investigators are also gathering information regarding persons who may have links to the accused or the suspected supply and distribution chain.

Accused has previous NDPS case

Police said Subhash was previously booked in another drug-related case at the Mangaluru East police station.

The earlier case was registered under Sections 8(c) and 22(b) of the NDPS Act and is currently under investigation.

The police are examining the details of the previous case as part of the ongoing investigation into the latest seizure. The authorities are also looking into whether there is any connection between the earlier case and the latest alleged drug-peddling activity.

The latest arrest forms part of efforts by the Mangaluru police to identify and take action against those allegedly involved in the possession, supply and distribution of narcotic substances in the city and surrounding areas.

Police urge public vigilance

The police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant about illegal drug-related activities and to report information about suspected narcotics possession or peddling to the nearest police station.

The appeal particularly targets students and young people, with the police stressing the importance of awareness and timely reporting of suspected drug-related activities.

The investigation into the case is continuing, and further details are expected to emerge as police examine the seized mobile phones and other evidence and gather information about possible links to other individuals.

The allegations against the accused are subject to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings.