Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 29 — In a major breakthrough against campus drug trafficking, the Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested a 29-year-old man from Kerala for allegedly supplying banned narcotic substances to students of several prestigious colleges in the city.
Acting on a tip-off, police apprehended the accused while he was attempting to sell MDMA, hydro weed ganja, and MDMA pills in the Deralakatte area on August 29.
The accused, identified as Mohammed Arshad Khan, hails from Moulana Azad Road, Mattancherry, Kochi, in Ernakulam district, Kerala, and had been residing at an apartment in Deralakatte, Mangaluru.
According to police, Khan had sourced the synthetic drug MDMA from Bengaluru and was distributing it to college students in and around Deralakatte — a locality known for its concentration of higher education institutions and student hostels.
During the arrest, CCB officials seized 53.29 grams of MDMA, 2.33 grams of hydro weed ganja, and 0.45 grams of MDMA pills from Khan’s possession. Along with the drugs, police recovered a digital weighing scale, a mobile phone, and other paraphernalia.
The estimated value of the seized narcotics is Rs 10.85 lac, while the total value of recovered property stands at Rs 11,05,500.
Speaking about the operation, a senior CCB officer said, “We had credible intelligence about a man selling synthetic drugs near Deralakatte, targeting students. Based on surveillance and field verification, we intercepted and arrested the accused with a significant quantity of contraband. This is a serious concern, especially with educational institutions being targeted by traffickers.”
A case has been registered at the Konaje police station and a full-fledged investigation is underway.
Police believe the accused is part of a larger supply and distribution network, and efforts are ongoing to trace other members of the racket.
Officials confirmed that several others are suspected to be involved in this drug supply chain, and further arrests are likely. The CCB unit responsible for the operation has been praised for its swift and precise action, particularly in safeguarding student communities vulnerable to substance abuse.
Police reiterated their commitment to cracking down on narcotics in educational zones. “These networks are often deeply embedded and target the youth. We’re intensifying our efforts to dismantle them completely,” said the official.