Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 3: A notorious drug peddler who used to smuggle intoxicating substances into the city from other states, and had succeeded in lying low and evading arrest for eight long years, has finally been arrested by the police personnel of Kengeri subdivision here.

The arrested accused happens to be Hamid (32) from Ullal. With his arrest, investigation in the three cases registered in Tavarekere station, nine in Byadarahalli and another case registered in Vijayanagara police station, can now progress. This was stated by city western division deputy commissioner of police, Sanjeev M Patil.

Hamid (left) and the house he was constructing

The accused used to bring ganja from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh which he stored in the godown in Ullal here. From there he supplied drugs to young people from different parts of the city through the sub-peddlers. Moreover, he also kept the local people on tenterhooks by spreading terror in the area with the help of petty rowdies. The locals had mentioned about the ruffians and the ganja trade through social websites.

When city police commissioner, Kamal Pant, visited Ullal, the locals had approached him with this complaint. A team comprising Kengeri subdivision assistant commissioner of police Krishna Kumar, Jnanabharati police inspector Laman Nayak, Annapoorneshwarinagar station inspector Lohit, and police sub inspector Sanganabasappa, was formed to crack the case. The team which conducted elaborate searches for the last eight months in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, arrested the accused based on reliable information.

Along with Hamid, his brother, Saeed, who also is an accused, has been arrested. A police outpost has been opened in the BBMP building at Ullal. Those who helped Hamid in his crimes, those who were involved with criminal activities and belonged to other states, have fled from their homes. The officials said that patrolling has been intensified.

Hamid was constructing a new house with three stories after buying a site in Vishveshvaraya layout sixth phase. The police said that he was using money he earned from sale of drugs and threatening the locals, for the construction of this house.