Six Arrested in Mangaluru Drug Trafficking Bust Targeting Students and Women
Mangaluru: Law enforcement in Mangaluru has dismantled a drug trafficking operation suspected of targeting college students and women in the city. In two independent investigations, police apprehended six individuals and confiscated a substantial amount of illicit narcotics.
The first case, under the jurisdiction of the Mangaluru South Police Station, resulted in the arrest of four suspects: Mohammed Sayyed Afridi (26), originally from Koteshwar in Udupi district and currently residing in Pandeshwar; Ahmed Ali Arshan (22); Maksud Saag (23) of Balmatta, Mangaluru; and Felix P. Joseph (20) from Kottayam, Kerala. Authorities seized 53.87 grams of MDMA, 103.20 grams of hydro weed (cannabis), and an MG Hector vehicle in connection with the arrests.
Acting on intelligence, police raided a Lodge on Badria Road on March 4th. The suspects had allegedly rented a room at the lodge and were reportedly using it as a base of operations for selling narcotics. Police took all four individuals into custody during the raid.
In a separate incident, registered under the Mangaluru North Police Station, police arrested Edal Roche (33) of Kankanady and Aaron Vishal Lasrado (18) of Kadri Mallikatte. Police seized 60 grams of hydro weed cannabis, 1 kilogram and 155 grams of cannabis, and a Maruti Swift.
Police apprehended the two suspects near Green Park Grounds, close to Bunder, while they were allegedly selling drugs to young individuals from inside their vehicle.
The ensuing investigation uncovered a network extending beyond Mangaluru. Police allege that Sandeep Shetty, a native of Mumbai currently employed as a hotel manager in Dubai, was involved in smuggling hydro weed cannabis to Bengaluru via air transport. Edal Roche was reportedly tasked with transporting the smuggled narcotics from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.
Further investigation revealed a connection between the two cases. Edal Roche and Aaron Lasrado were allegedly supplying drugs through Maksud Saag to Mohammed Sayyed Afridi and Ahmed Ali Arshan. The latter group then allegedly transported the narcotics from Bengaluru to Mangaluru in the MG Hector vehicle for distribution within the city.
Authorities indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that additional arrests are likely. Mangaluru police reaffirm their determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks and safeguard the city, urging continued vigilance and public cooperation as their efforts intensify.