Pramesh S Jain
The Byatarayanapura police have arrested an alleged drug peddler and seized 230 mobile phones,17 deadly weapons and 700 grams of ganja from his residence, uncovering what investigators suspect could be a larger criminal network.
The accused,identified as Akbar Shariff,was arrested following a late-night operation after police found him moving suspiciously on a motorcycle in the Byatarayanapura police station limits on July 1.
Senior officer told reporters a patrolling team intercepted the accused at around 10.50 pm,and recovered several deadly weapons from his motorcycle.
A case was registered under the Arms Act,following which the police searched his residence.
During the search,officers recovered 17 deadly weapons of various kinds,230 Android mobile phones and 700 grams of ganja,all of which were seized.
Addressing reporters,Deputy Commissioner of Police (West)Yathish N,said the accused was allegedly selling ganja near the Byatarayanapura railway track.
During interrogation,the accused claimed he kept the weapons for self-protection in case of disputes while selling the narcotic substance.
“The explanation offered by the accused is not convincing,and the investigation has been intensified,” the officer said.
We have sought the assistance of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) to trace the origin of the 230 mobile phones.
Investigators are examining whether the devices were stolen,pledged by customers purchasing ganja,or linked to other criminal activities.
He also said the accused’s mother,Mehar Unnisa,had been arrested by the Byatarayanapura police in 2024 in a separate narcotics case in which around 45 kg of ganja was allegedly seized.
Investigators are examining whether there are any links between the two cases.Further investigation is in progress.
Finally Bengaluru Police Commissioner,Seemant Kumar Singh,Joint CP West,C Vamsi Krishna has appreciated and said the operation was carried out under the guidance of Yathish.N,DCP West,under the leadership of Udaya Bhaskara.G.V,ACP,Byatarayanapura Sub-Division,and PI,Venkatesh.H.S along with other officers and staff,who successfully detected the case.
