Udupi: Manipal police have arrested two persons for allegedly possessing and selling MDMA to students in the Udupi-Manipal area.
The arrests were made after police received credible information that MDMA was being brought from Bengaluru and allegedly supplied to students in Perampalli, Manipal and surrounding areas.
Acting on the information, police intercepted a white Maruti Swift near Perampalli Bridge in Shivalli village at around 12.10 am on September 17. The vehicle was allegedly being used to transport the contraband.
The arrested persons have been identified as Akbar Mohammed Bary (44), a resident of Katapady, Udyavar, and Syed Suhail (26), a resident of M S Palya in Bengaluru.
30 grams of MDMA seized
During the operation, police seized approximately 30 grams of MDMA, with an estimated value of ₹1 lakh.
The seizure also included four mobile phones valued at around ₹40,000, a dongle worth ₹5,000 and ₹9,500 in cash.
Police also seized the Maruti Swift car allegedly used in connection with the offence. The vehicle has been valued at approximately ₹3 lakh.
The total value of the seized items, including the vehicle, is around ₹4.54 lakh.
Police said the operation was carried out based on information regarding the alleged supply of MDMA to students in the Udupi-Manipal region.
Vehicle intercepted near Perampalli Bridge
The police team intercepted the white Maruti Swift bearing registration number KA19-MK-2021 near Perampalli Bridge in Shivalli village shortly after midnight on September 17.
According to police, the information received indicated that MDMA was being transported from Bengaluru for alleged distribution in Perampalli, Manipal and nearby areas.
The interception enabled the police to conduct a search of the vehicle and seize the suspected narcotic substance and other items.
The two occupants were taken into custody following the seizure.
The operation comes amid continued police action against the alleged supply of synthetic drugs in areas around Manipal, where a large student population resides.
Case registered at Manipal police station
Following the seizure and arrests, a case was registered at the Manipal police station.
The accused were produced before the court as part of the legal proceedings.
PSI Thimmesh B N is conducting the investigation.
The police investigation is expected to establish the source of the suspected MDMA, the intended recipients and the alleged network through which the substance was being transported and distributed.
Authorities will also examine the seized mobile phones and other electronic equipment as part of the investigation.
Police team conducts operation
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Udupi Sub-Divisional Police Officer Belliyappa and led by Manipal police inspector Mahesh Prasad.
Police personnel Praveen Kumar, Praveen Shettigar, Rajesh Herga, Vishwajith, Sukumar Shetty, Vidya Nayak, Deekshith, Umesh, Lakshmisha and Saleem participated in the operation.
The coordinated operation resulted in the seizure of the suspected narcotic substance along with the vehicle, cash and electronic devices.
Focus on drug supply around student areas
The alleged targeting of students has brought renewed attention to the supply of synthetic drugs in the Udupi-Manipal area.
Manipal has a substantial student population, with educational institutions and residential areas spread across the town and neighbouring localities. Police have been carrying out operations against the possession and alleged distribution of narcotic substances in the region.
In the present case, investigators will examine whether the accused were directly involved in supplying MDMA to students or were part of a wider distribution network.
The alleged Bengaluru connection will also form part of the investigation, particularly to establish where and how the substance was sourced before being brought to the Udupi-Manipal area.
Investigation underway
The seizure of mobile phones and a dongle is expected to assist investigators in examining communication and other details connected to the alleged offence.
Police are also expected to verify the financial transactions and other evidence gathered during the operation.
As the investigation progresses, authorities will determine the precise circumstances surrounding the possession and alleged sale of the MDMA.
The case has been registered and further action will proceed in accordance with law.
Conclusion
Manipal police have arrested two persons and seized around 30 grams of suspected MDMA following an operation near Perampalli Bridge. Police allege that the substance was being brought from Bengaluru for sale to students in the Udupi-Manipal area. The accused have been produced before the court, while PSI Thimmesh B N is continuing the investigation.