Udupi: Udupi police uncovered a drug operation at a homestay in Thenkanidiyur village on Thursday, resulting in seven arrests and the seizure of ganja and MDMA. Acting on information about illegal possession of narcotics for sale, at a homestay, a team led by the Udupi sub-division DSP, and Malpe police circle inspector, conducted a raid.During the raid, police recovered 33.8g of ganja valued at Rs 3,000, 9.7g of MDMA, valued at Rs 20,000, five mobile phones, and other items, which were seized. The arrested are FM Nazil, 31, a resident of Hoode, Udupi, Mohammed Azharuddin, 42, Manchakal village, Kaup taluk, Mohammed Afnan, 19, from Manchakal, Kaup, Vignesh 35, Thenkanidiyur, Basavaraj, 36, from Katmandu, Nepal, Dhanvath Rikeeth, 36, of Shivalli village, and Githanjali Jina, 44, Ganjam district, Odisha.While searching the room, Nazil, Azaruddin, Afnan, and Vignesh were found to have consumed narcotic substances. Despite notices issued by the Malpe station officer and tourism department prohibiting the unauthorized operation of the homestay, the facility was being operated illegally. The owner of the homestay Dhanvath and an employee Basavaraj was also arrested for facilitating consumption of narcotic substances. A case has been registered at Malpe police station under sections 8(a), 20(b)(ii)(a), and 22(b) of the NDPS Act.The operation was carried out by SI Anil Kumar D, PSI Gangappa S, and station staff—head constables Adarsh, Nagesh, Uday, Anand Ganiga, constables Nagaraj, Kubera, Abhishek, and Praveen R.
