Udupi: Heroin haul at Hemmadi hotel - Two held, another accused absconding
Pics: Umesh Marpalli / Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi / Kundapur
Udupi / Kundapur: The accused who were caught with one kg of heroin at a hotel in Hemmadi, Kundapur on Thursday April 18 were produced before the media at Udupi on Friday April 19.
Contrary to intial reports, DC of excise department George Pinto addressing reporters here confirmed that only two had been arrested while another man is absconding. Also, the worth of the seized heroin has been estimated at Rs 1 crore.
The absconding person has been identified as Johson Melwin Louis, a native of Irodi, Sasthan, and resident of Bangalore. The other two arrested on Thursday are Diwakar Devadiga and Sudhir Hegde.
The DC informed that Johnson had planned to come from Bangalore on Friday with 5 kg of heroin, but alerted by media reports, he cancelled his plan. Releasing his picture to the media, he said that all efforts are being made to catch him.
He said that Johnson supplied drugs to Sudhir who was the mediator, and Diwakar distributed the drugs locally to buyers.
The police have already visited Johnson's house at Sasthan and taken his ration card and other items into possession, he said.
Also, three packets of heroin of 5 gm each have been sent to Bangalore for lab testing. When media persons raised questions about the genuineness of the drugs seized, he said that each police station is equipped with a testing apparatus which confirms the type of drug.
George Pinto also express concerns that the drug menace has resulted in several crimes in the district. Recalling certain cases like the Manipal boat tragedy and assualt on foreigner couple at Manipal, he said most of these incidents were results of drug addiction particularly among students.
He further said that the amount of heroin seized in this case is the biggest haul so far in Udupi district, and that he was proud of his team for busting the racket, especially Shubhodha and Narayan Maniyani who led the police team.
Also, the three persons involved, including Johnson, have no previous history of crime and this is their first offence, he said.
The report of the case has been sent for action and investigation to joint commissioner of Mangalore division, and deputy commissioner of excise. The arrested have booked under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, sections 8C and 17C and 22C. They were later produced in Kundapur court.
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