Manipal police have arrested two men for transporting and possessing MDMA for sale to students in the Udupi-Manipal area. The arrests came during a late-night operation near the Perampalli Bridge in Shivalli village after information about the drug being transported from Bengaluru.
The two arrested individuals were identified as Akbar Mohammed Beary, 44, from Katapady in Udyavara, and Syed Suhail, 26, from M.S. Palya in Bengaluru. MDMA was being brought to Udupi from Bengaluru for sale in Udupi, Perampalli, and Manipal, particularly targeting students.
Police Intercept Maruti Swift Near Perampalli Bridge
The operation took place at 12:10 a.m. on September 17 when Manipal police intercepted a white Maruti Swift car near Perampalli Bridge. The vehicle, with registration number KA19-MK-2021, was coming from the Ambagilu side.
Police had received information that MDMA was being transported in the vehicle. After obtaining the necessary authorisation, a police team intercepted the car and conducted a search. The two occupants were subsequently arrested.
Police also recovered 30 grams of MDMA (around ₹1 lakh) during the search. Four mobile phones worth about ₹40,000 were seized from the operation, a dongle worth around ₹5,000, and ₹9,500 in cash. The Maruti Swift used in the offence, valued at approximately ₹3 lakh, was also seized.
MDMA Allegedly For Students
According to the police information reported by local media, the accused allegedly brought the MDMA from Bengaluru and planned to sell it in areas like Udupi, Perampalli, and Manipal. Police have claimed that students were among the intended customers.
Manipal and its surrounding areas have a large student population, with educational institutions attracting students from various parts of Karnataka and other states. Thus, the alleged attempt to distribute MDMA in such areas has become a major focus of the investigation.
However, as mentioned, the allegations made by the arrested individuals will be subject to legal and investigative processes.
Case Registered Under NDPS Act
A case has been registered at Manipal Police Station under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police records released by local media show the case as Crime No. 155/2026, with Sections 8(c) and 22(c) of the NDPS Act invoked.
The operation was conducted under the direction of Udupi Sub-Divisional Deputy Superintendent of Police Belliyappa and led by Manipal Police Inspector Mahesh Prasad. Some police personnel participated in the operation, while PSI Thimmesh B.N. has taken up the investigation.
Accused Produced Before Court
The two individuals were taken into court and brought before the court after their arrest. Police are still investigating the source of the alleged MDMA, its intended distribution network, and if anyone else was involved.
The seizure of the phones and other electronic equipment could help investigators examine the alleged contacts and communications related to the case. Police may also look into whether the seized substance was meant to be distributed only in the Udupi-Manipal area or whether the alleged network extended to other places.
The police action comes amid continued efforts to keep illegal drugs out of the coastal district and protect young people. The investigation is ongoing, and more details may emerge as authorities examine the evidence and question the arrested individuals.
For now, police have seized 30 grams of suspected MDMA, four mobile phones, a dongle, cash, and the vehicle, while the two men have been arrested under the NDPS Act. The case is still being investigated, and the allegations will be resolved through the legal process.
