Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 31: A search of a motorcycle in Campbell Bay led to the recovery of 1.25 grams of alleged methamphetamine concealed inside its left handlebar and the arrest of its rider on August 30, highlighting the concealment of suspected narcotics in vehicle components.
According to the FIR and police report, Inspector Mithun Kirtania, SHO of Police Station Campbell Bay, received information around 6 pm that Manilal Ram, a resident of Joginder Nagar, was allegedly carrying methamphetamine. He recorded the information in the station General Diary and informed SDPO Campbell Bay Samuel Fred, DANIPS, who directed a raid.
The police team left the station at about 6:35 pm. It comprised Kirtania, PC/1180 Shohil Ismail, PC/1828 Abishek Narayan and PC/1236 Mohd. Shibly. Police also sought two independent witnesses for the search and seizure.
Around 7:15 pm, the team intercepted a motorcycle rider approaching from APWD Guest House Road after an informer identified him as the person described in the information. The rider identified himself as Manilal Ram, son of Sukhi Ram, 21, a private worker from Joginder Nagar.
Before conducting the personal search, police informed Ram of his rights under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, including the option of being searched before a Gazetted Officer or Executive Magistrate. He declined both. Police then searched him in the presence of SDPO Samuel Fred but found no contraband.
Officers subsequently inspected the motorcycle and noticed that its left handle grip was slightly loose. After removing the grip, they allegedly discovered a pouch inside the handlebar containing a crystalline substance wrapped in paper.
A preliminary examination with a Drug Detection Kit reportedly indicated methamphetamine. In the presence of the independent witnesses, police weighed the substance and recorded its weight as 1.25 grams.
Police placed the recovered material in a green cloth envelope and sealed it at the scene with a brass seal bearing the impression “MIK”. They also seized the motorcycle, a black-and-blue Hero Honda Splendor Plus bearing registration number AN01 E 7760.
The police report states that officers videographed the search and seizure and uploaded the recording to the e-Sakshya application.
During interrogation, Ram reportedly told police that the motorcycle belonged to Manu Krishnan Nair. Officers arrested him at around 7:55 pm after completing the required legal formalities. Police booked him under Section 22(a) of the NDPS Act, 1985.
The seized substance and motorcycle were later taken to Police Station Campbell Bay and deposited in the station Malkhana.
The case has been registered under Section 22(a) of the NDPS Act, with SI Dilip Singh assigned to conduct further investigation.
