Police in Manipal have arrested a 21-year-old youth from Andhra Pradesh, Seetharam Reddy Tauthareddy, for allegedly possessing and selling ganja to students and local residents in the Udupi–Manipal region. Reddy was caught with over 1 kg of ganja hidden inside diaper packets at his rented residence in Rajeev Nagar, Badagabettu.
According to officials, Police Sub-Inspector Akshayakumari S.N. received credible information about narcotics being stored and sold at Reddy’s residence. Acting on the tip-off, the police conducted a raid and detained the accused.
During questioning, Reddy reportedly confessed that he and his associate, Taneesh Ratna, had procured ganja from Meghalaya through an online application, with deliveries made via postal services. The duo allegedly sold the narcotics at high prices to students and acquaintances in Manipal and Udupi to earn a profit.
Police discovered two plastic parcels hidden under the bed containing diapers. Among these, they found three air zip bags with more than 1 kg of ganja, and another parcel contained two paper-wrapped packets of ganja and two empty air zip covers. Officers also seized two bongs, an iPhone, and Rs3,180 in cash from the room.
A case has been registered at the Manipal police station under Sections 8(C) and 20(b)(ii)(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigations are ongoing, including efforts to locate Taneesh Ratna, who remains at large.
Authorities have intensified surveillance around college campuses and hostels in Manipal, responding to a rise in narcotics-related activities. Police are coordinating with cyber and postal authorities to trace illegal online transactions and delivery routes used for smuggling drugs from other states.
Officials emphasized the growing challenge of drug trafficking through online channels and postal networks and urged students and residents to report suspicious activity to curb the spread of narcotics in educational hubs like Manipal.
