Beltangady Ambulance Driver Named Accused in ₹5.5 Crore MDMA Case, Absconding

Mangalore Today News Network

Beltangady, July 26, 2026: Police have booked an ambulance driver from Beltangady, Jaleel Baba, in connection with the seizure of MDMA worth ₹5.50 crore in Bagalkot. He has been absconding for the past six days, while cases have already been registered against four other accused in the interstate drug trafficking racket.

The Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) has submitted a report to the Principal Sessions Court in Mangaluru, naming Jaleel Baba as an accused and stating that his arrest is pending.

The other accused are Mohammed Altaf (28) of Indabettu, Mohammed Mustafa (28) of Halepete in Ujire, Alfaz of Devanari in Indabettu, and Annappa Swami alias Manu. Manu has been remanded to judicial custody, while action has been initiated against the remaining accused.

The investigation began after the CCB raided a house near the Kulayigudde water tank and seized 15.17 grams of MDMA worth ₹1.50 lakh from Manu. His interrogation led police to a larger network transporting narcotics from Delhi to Bengaluru.

Acting on the information, police raided the Royal Inn Lodge near Hunagund in Bagalkot district on July 15 and arrested three more suspects. During the operation, they seized 5.196 kg of MDMA valued at around ₹5.50 crore, along with a car, bags and mobile phones.

Investigators said the syndicate transported drugs from Delhi by car and used Bengaluru as a distribution hub for supplies to Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and parts of Kerala. During questioning, the arrested accused allegedly revealed that Jaleel Baba used his ambulance to transport the contraband to avoid police suspicion.

Police said Jaleel Baba’s mobile phone has been switched off, and he has not been responding to ambulance duty calls. A special team, under the supervision of the district Superintendent of Police and the Commissioner of Police, has launched a manhunt to trace and arrest him.