Illegal sand mining in CRZ area: 42 boats, trucks seized

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru city police and officials from the Department of Mines and Geology seized 42 boats, five trucks and two earthmovers dodger that were being used for illegal sand extraction in the basin of River Phalguni, under CRZ area, from a private dockyard at Ulaibettu. The value of the seized property, including sand is Rs 1.20 crore. 

Acting on credible information, that six persons – Yusuf Ulaibettu, Isak Ulaibettu, Hassan Ulaibettu, Sharif Ulaibettu, Vinay Shetty and Yashwanth Alva – were engaged in illegal sand extraction, the police from the Anti-Rowdy Squad, Mangluru South and Mangaluru Rural police station, raided the dockyard, belonging to one Raviraj from Ulaibettu  in the presence of ACP Rama Rao and mining department deputy director Padmashri and officer Murthy.

The sand extracted illegally was stored in the yard. The seized boats, vehicles and sand were handed over to the Mines and Geology Department for further action. 

In a separate operation, the police seized five lorries that were illegally transporting sand to Kerala without licenses. The value of the seized lorry and sand is Rs 70 lakh.

Officials said they would issue notices to Raviraj and six others in connection to the seizure in Ulaibettu as well as to owners of the five lorries seized at three different places. They will be given 30 days to respond to the notice. Following their reply, a decision will be taken to file a private complaint under Section 200 of the Criminal Procedure Code for offences under the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957.