Karkala: Huge quantity of ammonium nitrate stored illegally at a private property in Durga Tellaru was raided by the Karkala police on Wednesday, October 22, night.

The ammonium nitrate stored in 150 bags is valued at Rs 3 lakh.

It is learnt that the private property belongs to a Kerala based individual named Wilson and was taken on lease a few months ago by another Keralite named Biju Thomas.

Biju is said to be a habitual offender. In 2007, the then ASP Labhu Ram had seized explosives at Ajekar and arrested Biju. Also, in 2010, Kerala police with the help of Karkala police had again arrested Biju on similar charges. Again in March 2014, the then ASP and present Udupi SP Annamalai had raided a place at Nakre Varnabettu and seized four loads of ammonium nitrate and arrested Biju.

However, in the latest raid on October 21, Biju managed to flee from the spot. Hunt for him is on.