By The News Observer Desk,
MURUDESHWAR, Karnataka – In a swift crackdown that's got the local college crowd breathing a little easier, police here have arrested a small-time drug dealer who was peddling narcotics right under the noses of students in this coastal taluk. The suspect, Inayatulla, son of Rasool Sab from Savanoor in Bhatkal, was caught red-handed supplying substances to young folks hanging around Murudeshwar's campuses and beaches.
It all went down in a well-coordinated raid late last week, where officers seized a whopping 32 grams of contraband – the kind that's way too easy for impressionable teens to get hooked on – along with the beat-up bike he used to zip around making his shady deliveries. Inayatulla was hauled straight to court, where he's now facing the music for turning the area's vibrant student scene into his personal marketplace.
Leading the charge was Circle Inspector Jagadish Hanchanal from the Murudeshwar circle, flanked by Sub-Inspectors Hanamant Biradar and Loknath Rathod. Their team – shoutout to constables Arun Pinto, Subramanya, Manjunath Lakkamapur, Manjunath Madival, and Sandeep Patagar – moved like clockwork, tipping off the bust based on whispers from the community about suspicious activity near the colleges.
"We've been hearing too many stories from worried parents and students about this guy lurking around," Hanchanal told reporters afterward, his voice carrying that mix of relief and resolve you hear from cops who know they've nipped a problem in the bud. "These kids are here to study and build futures, not dodge dealers on two wheels. This arrest sends a clear message: We're watching, and we're not letting up."
Murudeshwar, with its stunning beaches and growing educational hubs, has seen a troubling uptick in such incidents lately – a stark reminder that even paradise spots aren't immune to the drug trade's long shadow. Local authorities are already ramping up patrols around schools and hostels, and they're urging anyone with tips to come forward anonymously.
For now, though, it's one less predator on the prowl. If you're a student reading this: Stay sharp, stick together, and remember, a quick high isn't worth the lifelong crash. And to the cops pulling these all-nighters? Hats off – you're the real MVPs keeping our corners safe.
By Shailesh Vaidya, Bhatkal Correspondent
