Five arrested in Bhatkal for consumption of drugs as police intensify anti-drug crackdown

Bhatkal: Police in Bhatkal have stepped up their drive against drug abuse, arresting five persons in separate operations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for allegedly consuming narcotic substances.

Of the five accused, four were arrested by the Bhatkal Town Police, while one was taken into custody by the Bhatkal Rural Police.

In one operation, the Bhatkal Rural Police arrested Saleem (25), a resident of Taggargod, after he was found behaving suspiciously in an intoxicated state near a poultry farm at Firdos Nagar under the jurisdiction of the rural police station.

The operation was led by PSI Mallikarjunayya Korani on July 16. Police said Saleem was subjected to a medical examination at the Government Hospital, which confirmed that he had consumed ganja. A case was subsequently registered under the NDPS Act and he was arrested.

Meanwhile, a special drive led by Bhatkal Town Police PSI Naveen S. Nayak resulted in the arrest of four persons from different parts of the town.

Among those arrested were Anas (18) of Takiya Street and Abdul Aleem (42) of Khaziya Street. Medical tests allegedly confirmed that both had consumed narcotic substances, following which cases were registered against them.

As part of the same operation, police also detained two other youths from different localities in Bhatkal. Medical examination reportedly detected narcotic substances in their bodies, and separate cases have been registered against them.

Police said intensive patrols and raids against those involved in the sale and consumption of narcotic substances will continue across the town.