Police seize 50–60 tonnes of sand worth Rs 1.20 lakh in major raid

Mangaluru: Police have registered a case of illegal sand mining and seized around 50–60 metric tonnes of sand worth Rs 1.20 lakh during a raid conducted at Shettiyadka in Thodikana village.

According to the police, acting on credible information, Sub-Inspector Santosh BP of Sullia Police Station along with police personnel visited the spot where the accused, identified as Manu Permuda and Anthony of Chembu village, were allegedly involved in illegally extracting and stocking sand from a river for sale.

During the inspection, police found nearly 20 tipper-loads of sand, weighing around 50–60 metric tonnes, stored at the location. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that they had allegedly extracted the sand without obtaining any legal permit and were transporting and selling it by loading it onto lorries.

Police seized the illegally stored sand and registered a case against two at Sullia Police Station under Sections 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Sections 4(1) and 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and Sections 3 and 44 of the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994.

Further investigation is underway.