<p>Bengaluru: A tattoo artist-turned-drug peddler, who allegedly sold narcotics disguised as cookies, has been arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru City police. </p><p>The accused, Rakshith Ramesh Melappanavar, a resident of Chokkananahalli in northeast Bengaluru and originally from Davanagere, was arrested last week following a raid on his apartment. Authorities seized contraband worth an estimated Rs 2 crore during the operation, based on credible intelligence.</p><p>The Anti-Narcotics Wing of the CCB recovered 3.5 grams of hydro ganja, 40 LSD strips, 130 grams of charas, and 2.3 grams of MDMA from Melappanavar’s flat. The police suspect his accomplice, believed to have helped him build a consumer network, is hiding in another state.</p>.Spurious drugs worth Rs 6.6 crore seized during raids in Kolkata.<p>This crackdown is part of a larger campaign against drug peddling ahead of the New Year celebrations. Investigators suspect Melappanavar was stockpiling narcotics to meet the anticipated surge in demand during the festive season.</p><p>According to a CCB official, the suspects imported hydro ganja, compressed into biscuit-like forms, from Thailand and Malaysia. These contraband items, disguised as cookies, were shipped via sea routes. The accomplice managed orders and payments using foreign connections, while Melappanavar handled local distribution and was reportedly still learning the trade.</p><p>In addition to international sources, the duo procured drugs from Goa, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana. On his accomplice’s instructions, Melappanavar stored the contraband in his apartment and worked to expand their customer base.</p><p>Using his tattoo services as a front, he allegedly recruited new consumers while offering doorstep design services. “He was preparing to travel to Goa for the New Year celebrations when we conducted the raid. Our team is actively pursuing his accomplice and expects to make an arrest soon,” an investigator revealed.</p>.<p>A Bengaluru court has remanded Melappanavar to police custody.</p><p>Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda praised the CCB’s efforts, mentioning the department’s commitment to dismantling drug networks and preventing new entrants into the illegal trade.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: A tattoo artist-turned-drug peddler, who allegedly sold narcotics disguised as cookies, has been arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru City police. </p><p>The accused, Rakshith Ramesh Melappanavar, a resident of Chokkananahalli in northeast Bengaluru and originally from Davanagere, was arrested last week following a raid on his apartment. Authorities seized contraband worth an estimated Rs 2 crore during the operation, based on credible intelligence.</p><p>The Anti-Narcotics Wing of the CCB recovered 3.5 grams of hydro ganja, 40 LSD strips, 130 grams of charas, and 2.3 grams of MDMA from Melappanavar’s flat. The police suspect his accomplice, believed to have helped him build a consumer network, is hiding in another state.</p>.Spurious drugs worth Rs 6.6 crore seized during raids in Kolkata.<p>This crackdown is part of a larger campaign against drug peddling ahead of the New Year celebrations. Investigators suspect Melappanavar was stockpiling narcotics to meet the anticipated surge in demand during the festive season.</p><p>According to a CCB official, the suspects imported hydro ganja, compressed into biscuit-like forms, from Thailand and Malaysia. These contraband items, disguised as cookies, were shipped via sea routes. The accomplice managed orders and payments using foreign connections, while Melappanavar handled local distribution and was reportedly still learning the trade.</p><p>In addition to international sources, the duo procured drugs from Goa, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana. On his accomplice’s instructions, Melappanavar stored the contraband in his apartment and worked to expand their customer base.</p><p>Using his tattoo services as a front, he allegedly recruited new consumers while offering doorstep design services. “He was preparing to travel to Goa for the New Year celebrations when we conducted the raid. Our team is actively pursuing his accomplice and expects to make an arrest soon,” an investigator revealed.</p>.<p>A Bengaluru court has remanded Melappanavar to police custody.</p><p>Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda praised the CCB’s efforts, mentioning the department’s commitment to dismantling drug networks and preventing new entrants into the illegal trade.</p>