A Snag on the Road: How a Mangaluru Checkpoint Foiled a Drug Run

You know, sometimes the most routine things can suddenly just... shift. Take, for instance, a typical Thursday evening in Mangaluru, right? The city was winding down, or perhaps gearing up for its usual nocturnal rhythm, but out near the Neermarga check post, something decidedly less ordinary was about to unfold.

It was December 14th, and the Mangaluru Rural Police—ever vigilant, you could say—were doing their usual thing: checking vehicles, ensuring safety. And then, an auto-rickshaw, bearing the registration KA 19 AB 5957, trundled into view. Nothing overtly suspicious about it, not at first glance anyway. But sometimes, a gut feeling, a slight hesitation, is all it takes.

So, the officers signaled it to stop. A routine check, truly. Yet, as they began their inspection, a bag tucked away within the vehicle seemed to draw more than a passing glance. And in truth, what they found inside wasn't exactly what one might expect from a casual ride—a substantial 1.050 kilograms of ganja, or marijuana, if you prefer, with an estimated street value of around Rs 52,500. A rather significant haul for an auto-rickshaw, wouldn't you agree?

Three young men were inside, naturally. Mohammed Sinan, just 21, from Bantwal; Swaraj, 20, from Ulaibettu; and Sharan, 22, also hailing from Bantwal. One can only imagine the tension in that moment, the sudden realization that their clandestine operation had hit a very public snag. It wasn't just the drugs, mind you. The police also confiscated the very auto-rickshaw they were using, along with three mobile phones, bringing the total value of the seized items to a hefty Rs 1,82,500. A considerable blow, honestly.

The case, as these things often do, quickly moved to the Mangaluru Rural Police Station. Inspector S H Shivaprasad, PSI Sudeer M K, ASI Sadananda, and their dedicated team—they're the ones who tirelessly work behind the scenes, ensuring such illicit activities are brought to light. It serves as a stark reminder, I suppose, of the persistent battle against drug trafficking that continues to play out in our communities, often unseen, until moments like these pierce through the everyday humdrum. And for once, vigilance truly paid off.