Police in Kozhikode made a startling arrest on Friday morning. A 39-year-old man was caught sleeping on the beach with a large quantity of ganja openly displayed beside him.
Sleeping Suspect Sparks Alert
Morning walkers along Kozhikode beach noticed something unusual. They saw ganja leaves spread out on a newspaper. Right next to this display, a man lay fast asleep. The walkers immediately alerted local authorities about the suspicious scene.
Police Response and Arrest
Officers from Vellayil police station rushed to the location. They approached the sleeping individual and woke him up. Upon inspection, they discovered 370 grams of ganja in his possession. Police promptly arrested the man at the scene.
The arrested individual has been identified as Muhammed Rafi N P. He is a native of Nadakkavu. According to police statements, Rafi had traveled from Karnataka with the ganja intended for sale.
Suspect's Claims and History
During questioning, Rafi made an interesting claim. He insisted that the drugs did not belong to him. However, police investigation revealed his extensive history with narcotics.
Authorities confirmed that Rafi is a habitual drug user. He has faced previous legal action under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. This background strengthened the case against him.
Legal Charges Filed
Police have charged Rafi under specific sections of relevant laws. The primary charge comes under section 20(b) (ii) (a) of the NDPS Act. Additionally, authorities applied section 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act to his case.
Media Coverage and Public Reaction
The unusual nature of this arrest attracted significant media attention. Television channels broadcast visuals showing the man sleeping peacefully beside his illicit merchandise. These images circulated widely, highlighting the brazen nature of the incident.
Local residents expressed surprise at the audacity of displaying drugs so openly in a public space. The beach, typically frequented by morning walkers and families, became an unexpected crime scene.
This arrest serves as a reminder of ongoing drug enforcement efforts in the region. Police vigilance combined with alert citizens helped remove a significant quantity of narcotics from circulation.
