Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod

Kasargod, Aug 17: The Manjeshwar police on Thursday August 17 seized 22 kg of ganja from a drug peddler at Thuminadu here.

The youth, identified as Abubakker Siddique (21), a resident of Hosabettu, has been arrested.

Based on credible information, the police raided a room located on the upper floor of a Thuminadu quarters and arrested Abubakker, but two others who were with him managed to escape.

Initially, only 250 gram of ganja was found in Abubakker's possession. He was taken into custody and interrogated, during which he spilled the beans about more ganja being hidden in the quarters. The police conducted a search and found the ganja lying concealed under some covers.

Siddique reportedly told the police that the ganja was brought from Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and was being sold in places like Mangaluru, Kasargod and others.

Abubakker along with two friends rented a vehicle and drove to Andhra Pradesh on August 6, and returned on August 12 with 30 kg of ganja. Out of that, 8 kg has already been sold over the past four days.

The accused had bought the ganja in Andhra Pradesh at the rate of Rs 5,000 per kg, but after bringing it here, they were selling it for Rs 50,000 per kg.

Police said that the ganja was being sold in small packets through agents.

Police sources said that over the past two days, as much as two quintals of ganja was transported by Abubakker.

Last month, Abubukker managed to smuggle 60 kg ganja into Karnataka, police sources said.

Hunt for the two absconding accused is on.