The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Mangaluru): In a decisive blow to regional drug trafficking, Mangaluru’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) officials have successfully dismantled a cocaine distribution network, culminating in the arrest of two individuals found in possession of a significant quantity of the narcotic. The operation, meticulously planned and executed in the city’s Ullal area, led to the confiscation of 35 grams of cocaine, estimated to be worth around Rs 2.72 lakh.
The operation was sparked by actionable intelligence indicating the movement of cocaine into the state, prompting a swift response from the CCB team under the leadership of Inspector Shyam Sundar H M. The suspects, identified as Sadakath U, also known as Shan Nawaz, aged 31, and Mahammed Ashfaq, known as Ashfa, aged 25, were intercepted while they navigated Elyarpadavu Maidan on a two-wheeler, resulting in their immediate detention.
Anupam Agrawal, the Commissioner of Police, detailed the duo’s illicit activities, noting their involvement in the acquisition and distribution of cocaine sourced from Goa, with their network extending into both Karnataka and Kerala. The arrest not only led to the seizure of the cocaine but also uncovered associated paraphernalia, including three mobile phones, a digital weighing scale, and a sum of cash, collectively valued at approximately Rs 4 lakh.
Further investigations revealed a broader network behind this narcotic supply chain, with several individuals now under scrutiny for their roles in facilitating the cocaine distribution. The police’s relentless pursuit of these leads underscores their commitment to eradicating the menace of drug trafficking from the region.
Notably, one of the apprehended, Sadakat, was previously implicated in another case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, alongside an assault charge, highlighting the criminal elements’ recurrent involvement in such illegal enterprises. This operation marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to cleanse the community of drug-related activities, signaling a warning to those engaged in the trade of these dangerous substances.