The Mangaluru city police’s Central Crime Branch sleuths have arrested three alleged drug peddlers and seized a total of 50 grams of MDMA worth ₹2.5 lakh.

A city police release said that on a tip-off, Asif alias Achi, 32, a resident of Sajipamooda village of Bantwal taluk, was arrested on Tuesday, when he was found selling MDMA near Nehru Maidan in Mangaluru. The police seized 27 grams of MDMA worth ₹1.35 lakh, a mobile phone, and a digital weighing machine from him.

The police said Asif would procure MDMA in Bengaluru and come to Mangaluru and sell it here. The police are searching for other persons associated with Asif.

Asif is accused in three alleged drug peddling cases registered in Surathkal, Vitla, and Bantwal police stations in Dakshina Kannada district in 2018, 2021 and 2023 respectively.

Two more arrested

The CCB sleuths have arrested Sheikh Sikandar, 22, of Kalaburagi district, and Mohammed Taufiq, 29, of Kavoor in Mangaluru. The police seized 23 grams of MDMA worth ₹1.15 lakh, two mobile phones and a scooter from the accused.

The police said Sheikh Sikandar would procure MDMA from Mumbai and bring it to Mangaluru and give it to Taufiq to sell in the city. The accused were using proceeds of the sale to lead a lavish lifestyle. The police are on the lookout for other persons allegedly associated with the accused.

Sheikh is an accused in a murder case registered in Roza police station in Kalaburagi district.s