Mangaluru (Karnataka), Mar 13 (PTI): Five notorious interstate criminals involved in multiple cases across Karnataka and Kerala were arrested, police said on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference in Mangaluru, Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal said the arrests led to the recovery of three pistols, six live bullets, 12.89 kg of cannabis, three vehicles, and other valuables.

Agarwal said that acting on a tip-off, the Central Crime Branch police intercepted a suspiciously moving car on Wednesday at Natekal in Mangaluru city.

During the raid, they arrested Noufal (38) and Mansoor (36), both residents of Kasaragod district in Kerala.

ALSO READ: Garuda gang member Isaq injured in police encounter in Udupi

"The police team recovered two pistols, four live bullets, two mobile phones, and the vehicle. The estimated value of the seized items is Rs 14.6 lakh. A case has been registered at Konaje police station," Agarwal said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Noufal has six criminal cases related to drug trafficking registered against him at various police stations in Kerala.

Similarly, Mansoor has four cases, including drug smuggling and issuing life threats.

In another operation on the same day, the police intercepted a red car transporting banned narcotics from Kerala to Mangaluru.

The accused had planned to sell the contraband in the city. Abdul Latif, alias Thoku Latif (29), a native of Mangalpadi Panchayat in Kasaragod district and currently residing near Kozhikode Airport in Kerala, was arrested, and a large quantity of cannabis was seized from the vehicle, police said.

Further investigations are underway.

The police have intensified their crackdown on interstate criminal networks involved in arms smuggling and drug trafficking, Agarwal added.

Get all the latest, breaking news from Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada in a single click. CLICK HERE to get all the latest news from Mangaluru.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held talks with top leaders of Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Slovakia with a focus on shoring up bilateral cooperation in trade and technology sectors.

He also held a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and discussed how the global body can play a "constructive role" in making use of artificial intelligence inclusive.

Modi met Guterres and other leaders on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit.

We talked about making AI all inclusive and how the UN can play a constructive role in this regard, the prime minister said on his talks with the UN chief.

"Reiterated India's support towards any effort aimed at harnessing AI for a better planet. We also exchanged perspectives on UN reforms, especially giving greater voice to the Global South," he said on social media.

Following his talks with Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Modi said both sides will continue to work in close cooperation to ensure regional security and prosperity.

"Delighted to meet Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam. Reaffirmed our shared commitment to take our enhanced Strategic Partnership to new heights in AI, technology, culture and people-to-people ties," he said.

Modi also described Mauritius as a vital partner in India's MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision.

On his meeting with Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the prime minister said: "We took stock of the progress in India-Sri Lanka relations in the recent times."

"We also discussed avenues of cooperation in areas such as energy, connectivity, infrastructure, healthcare, skilling, culture, blue economy and more," he added.

Modi said he and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini discussed bilateral cooperation in areas of defence, space and digital public infrastructure.

My meeting with Peter Pellegrini, President of the Slovak Republic was "very productive", the prime minister said on social media.

"The recent India-EU FTA will create several opportunities to boost trade and investment between our nations. Other subjects we discussed included cooperation in digital technology, StartUps, Digital Public Infrastructure, defence, space and more," he said.