Mangaluru: CCB arrests two MDMA peddlers in separate cases, seizes drugs worth Rs 16.4 lakh

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jun 6, 2026: Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) police have arrested two individuals in separate operations for allegedly supplying the banned narcotic substance MDMA to members of the public and students in the city. A total of 164 grams of MDMA, valued at approximately ₹16.4 lakh, was seized during the raids.

In the first case, acting on credible information that MDMA was being procured from Bengaluru and sold from a house in the Hoige Bazaar area, CCB officers conducted a raid and arrested the accused. Police seized 104 grams of MDMA worth around ₹10.4 lakh, along with a mobile phone, zip-lock covers, and a digital weighing scale. A case has been registered at the Mangaluru South Police Station.

The accused has been identified as Pranam Kottian (30). Police said he has a criminal history, including assault and criminal intimidation cases registered at Mangaluru South Police Station in 2016, a narcotics consumption case in 2026, a ganja-related case registered by the Excise Department in 2022, and a ganja trafficking case registered at Mangaluru North Police Station in the same year.

In another operation, CCB police received information that MDMA was being sold from a house in the Padavinangady area. A raid led to the arrest of another accused, from whom officers seized 60 grams of MDMA worth approximately ₹6 lakh, along with zip-lock covers, a mobile phone, and a digital weighing machine. A case has been registered at the Mangaluru Rural Police Station.

The second accused has been identified as Dhanaraj Poojary alias Dhanu Valachil (33). According to police, he is a habitual offender with around 12 criminal cases registered against him at Mangaluru South, Mangaluru North, Surathkal, Barke, Kavoor, Kankanady Town and Bantwal police stations, including cases of murder, attempted murder, assault and criminal intimidation. He was also sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in a grievous assault case registered at Surathkal Police Station in 2016.

Police suspect that several other individuals are involved in the drug trafficking network, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend them.