Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady
Beltangady, Jul 26: In connection with the recent seizure of MDMA worth Rs 5.50 crore in Bagalkot, the police have registered a case against an ambulance driver from Beltangady, identified as Jaleel Baba, who is currently absconding. Cases have already been booked against four other individuals in this major drug peddling racket.
The Mangaluru city crime branch (CCB) police submitted a report to the principal sessions court in Mangaluru, naming Jaleel Baba as an accused and stating that his arrest is pending.
The other four accused booked in the case are Mohammed Altaf (28) of Indabettu village, Mohammed Mustafa (28) of Halepete in Ujire, Alfaz of Devanari in Indabettu village, and Annappa Swami alias Manu. Manu has already been remanded to judicial custody, and appropriate action has been initiated against the others.
The racket came to light when the CCB police raided a house near the Kulayigudde water tank and seized 15.17 grams of MDMA worth Rs 1.50 lac from Annappa Swami alias Manu. During his interrogation, the police gathered crucial information about a massive supply network transporting the contraband from Delhi to Bengaluru.
Following this lead, the police raided the Royal Inn Lodge on the national highway near Hunagund in Bagalkot district on July 15 and arrested three more accused. During the operation, they confiscated 5.196 kg of MDMA worth an estimated Rs 5.50 crore, along with a car, bags, and mobile phones.
Investigations revealed that the accused transported the narcotics from Delhi by car and used Bengaluru as a central hub to supply drugs across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and various parts of Kerala. During questioning, the arrested individuals confessed that Jaleel Baba utilized his ambulance to transport the drugs to evade suspicion.
Following the revelations, the Beltangady ambulance driver has been on the run for the past six days. His mobile phone is switched off, and he is not responding to emergency ambulance calls. A special police team, acting under the guidance of the district superintendent of police and the commissioner of police, has launched a manhunt to track him down.