Bantwal: An inter-state vehicles and areca nut theft racket has been busted by the district crime intelligence bureau here on April 19.

The police team arrested five persons, they are, Imran from Mangilapadavu in Vittal, Muhammed Mukseen from Nandavara, Akhter, from Perne, Shifan a resident of Hirebandady in Uppinangady and Ummer Farooq from Kannangar in Padubidri.

A motor bike, five cars and 20 sacks of husked areca nuts were seized from the arrested.

It is learnt that the accused have been involved in theft cases registered in Kerala, Uppinangady, Manipal, Belthangady, Vittal and Bantwal. The operation was conducted by Circle inspector Belliyappa and his team.

The operation was carried out here in Salethur by Bantwal police, when the accused were transporting six husked areca nut sacks in a Ritz and Swift car.

When the police interrogated them, it came to light, that the accused were involved in many inter-state theft cases too.

The arrested had stolen areca nut from Budoli, Ira, Vogga and Belthangady. They also robbed a Maruthi 800 and Maruthi Omni from Bantwal town station limits and a motorbike from Uppinangady. The seized vehicles and areca nut cost is estimated around Rs 16 lakhs.

Among the arrested, a few were involved in thefts in Manipal, assault cases in Vittal, Ganja cases in Uppinanagady and abduction cases in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, said police sources.

The police have suspected that there are still more people involved in the racket and have quickened the operation to arrest them too, said Belliyappa, Bantwal circle inspector.

K U Belliappa, under the guidance of Dakshina Kannada district superintendent of police, Dr Sharanappa, additional superintendent of police, M Shekharappa, and Bantwal assistant superintendent of police, Rahul Kumar led the operation.

After the team successufully carried out the operation, SP Dr Sharanappa praised and announced rewards for those involved in the raid.