Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 6: In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking, the Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) police arrested two persons in separate operations for allegedly selling the banned narcotic substance MDMA to the public and students in the city. A total of 164 grams of MDMA worth approximately Rs 16.40 lac was seized from the accused.
Acting on credible information that MDMA was being procured from Bengaluru and sold to the public and students from a house in the Hoige Bazaar area, CCB police conducted a raid on June 5, and arrested the accused.
The police seized 104 grams of MDMA valued at approximately Rs 10.40 lac, along with a mobile phone, zip-lock covers and a digital weighing machine. A case has been registered at Mangaluru South Police Station.
The accused has been identified as Pranam Kotian (30), a resident of Janaki Nilaya, behind Dhoomavathi Daivasthana, Hoyige Bazaar, Mangaluru.
Police said Pranam Kotian has several cases registered against him, including an assault and criminal intimidation case at Mangaluru South police station in 2016, a narcotics consumption case in 2026, a ganja-related case registered by the Excise Department in 2022, and a ganja sale case registered at Mangaluru North police station in 2022.
In another operation conducted on June 5, CCB police arrested a man who was allegedly selling MDMA from a house in the Padavinangady area to the public and students.
Police seized 60 grams of MDMA valued at approximately Rs 6 lac, along with zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a digital weighing machine. A case has been registered at Mangaluru Rural police station.
The accused has been identified as Dhanaraj Poojary alias Dhanu Valachil (33), a resident of 4-197, Arkula, Valachil, Padavu, Mangaluru, and presently residing at Mugarodi, Gurunagar, Padavinangady.
According to police, Dhanaraj Poojary has around 12 criminal cases registered against him at Mangaluru South, Mangaluru North, Surathkal, Barke, Kavoor, Kankanady Town and Bantwal police stations, including cases of murder, attempt to murder, assault and criminal intimidation. He was also sentenced to three years' imprisonment in a grievous assault case registered at Surathkal police station in 2016.
Police said several other individuals are believed to be involved in the drug trafficking and distribution network, and efforts are underway to trace and apprehend them.
The operations were carried out by officers and personnel of the Mangaluru City CCB unit.