Belagavi CCB Busts Major Drug Racket: 2 Arrested with Heroin Worth ₹4.96 Lakh
Belagavi: In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, the City Crime Branch (CCB) police of Belagavi have busted a heroin smuggling racket, arresting two individuals and seizing illegal narcotics valued at approximately ₹4,96,000. According to an official press note released by the Office of the Police Commissioner, Belagavi City, the operation was executed based on credible intelligence regarding illegal drug trade in the city.
The Incident and Arrests
The raid took place on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Acting on a tip-off, a CCB team led by Police Inspector Shri Manjunath Nayak, along with Sub-Inspector Shri Manjunath Bhajantri and other staff members, intercepted the suspects near the stairs of the APMC Fruit Market Complex in Belagavi. The accused were reportedly found in possession of the banned substance, which they intended to sell for personal financial gain in a public space.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Mahadev Gajanand Patil (28), residing at Patila Galli, Mahadwar Road, Kangrali B.K, Belagavi.
- Vinayak Balu Bandari (25), residing at Ramdev Galli, Congress Road, Belagavi.
Seizures and Total Valuation
During the operation, the CCB police confiscated a total of 24.80 grams of Heroin, estimated to be worth ₹4,96,000 in the illicit market. Additionally, a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone worth approximately ₹5,000 was seized from the accused, bringing the total value of the confiscated property to ₹5,01,000.
Source and Legal Action
Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused had procured the heroin from a woman named Mumbaj Amma. Following the raid, a case has been officially registered at the APMC Police Station (Crime No. 120/2026) under sections 8(c) and 21(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The police are currently conducting further investigations to track down Mumbaj Amma and unearth the broader network of drug supply in the region.
Commendation
The Police Commissioner of Belagavi City and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) have highly praised Inspector Manjunath Nayak, SI Manjunath Bhajantri, and the entire CCB squad for their swift action and successful operation in curbing the drug menace.