Two college dropouts held with drugs worth Rs 10 crore in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested two drug users-turned peddlers and seized narcotic substances worth about Rs 10 crore from their apartment under the Bagalur police limits in the city, The New Indian Express reported on Wednesday.
The arrested accused have been identified as Ashwin (27) and Mubeena (25), both natives of Kerala. The two were classmates who had dropped out of their BBA course and were residing at Prestige Pansberry Heights Apartments.
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According to police, the accused were involved in an organised drug distribution network. They allegedly received narcotic substances from Vincent, who hails from Kerala and lives in Thailand. They used to distribute drugs to customers as per Vincent’s instructions.
City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said the police received information about drug peddling while monitoring social media. Acting on a tip-off, officers conducted a raid at the apartment and seized 8,335 LSD strips (124 g), 5 kg of hydro ganja and 534 g of charas, collectively valued at around Rs 10 crore.
The area where drugs have been seized in Bagalur has many educational institutions. Investigations are on to ascertain whether drugs were being supplied to college students there.
The commissioner said this was the highest number of LSD strips seized in a single operation so far. Each strip was reportedly being sold for around Rs 3,000.
Further investigation is underway to identify the recipients and others involved in the network.
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IPL final shifted for bigger stadium, not ticket issue: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday rubbished allegations that the IPL final venue was shifted from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad due to the distribution of tickets to MLAs.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said the reason for the shift could be the availability of a larger stadium in Ahmedabad.
“Ahmedabad has a large stadium and can accommodate more spectators. That must be the reason the IPL final was shifted there. There is no connection between ticket distribution to MLAs and the venue change,” he said.
When asked about reports linking the venue shift to MLAs demanding tickets, he quipped, “In some places, 50 per cent of tickets are reserved.”
When reporters said the BCCI had indicated that the decision was linked to ticket issues, he responded, “Let them make such statements. I will respond appropriately.”
Bengaluru was originally expected to host the final as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru were the defending champions.
Ahmedabad will host the IPL final for a second successive season on May 31, the BCCI announced earlier in the day, while allotting Qualifier 1 to Dharamsala and two other playoff games to New Chandigarh.
The board, however, said the final venue was shifted “owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols.”
Shivakumar declined to comment on the revocation of the suspension of Muslim leaders in Davanagere, saying it was a party decision.
Regarding the removal of MLC Naseer Ahmed as CM Siddaramaiah’s political secretary, he said the chief minister had already spoken on the matter.
“The CM has his own information. Party office-bearers have provided guidance. He was given certain responsibilities, which he did not handle properly, which is why he was removed,” Shivakumar said.
On MLC Abdul Jabbar, who resigned as the state Congress minority cell chief and was later expelled from the party, he said Jabbar had submitted his resignation, which the party accepted.
The Congress in Karnataka faced internal dissent in April when several Muslim leaders objected to the party fielding Samarth Shamanur as its candidate for the recently held Davanagere South Assembly bypoll.
They demanded that a Muslim candidate be fielded, citing the constituency’s substantial Muslim population. The party subsequently took disciplinary action against three leaders, including Jabbar and MLC Ahmed.
When asked about his and the CM’s visit to Delhi, he said, “We will go when the high command calls us. It is not appropriate to go without being called.”
On Congress supporting TVK in Tamil Nadu, Shivakumar said the decision was taken to keep the "BJP out of power and strengthen secular forces." Elections to the 234 Assembly constituencies were held on April 23, and the results were announced on May 4.
The Congress party, a long-time ally of the DMK, announced its support for TVK to form a government in Tamil Nadu and severed ties with the Dravidian major.
The incumbent DMK was trounced by the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Vijay, who secured 108 seats. “Despite pressure from the AIADMK and BJP, TVK did not align with them. Our party has taken this decision in the interest of secular forces and the welfare of Tamil Nadu,” Shivakumar said.
