Car accident helps DYSP catch drug peddler Najeeb Kareem

THODUPUZHA: Banned tobacco was found in the trunk of a car that met with an accident. The police registered a case against car owner Najeeb Kareem(42). It was an anonymous phone call that leaked the details of the tobacco business to the police. Thodupuzha DYSP M R Madhu Babu and team conducted an operation and found Rs 29,000 worth of banned tobacco leaves in the car.

On Saturday, the car crashed into an autorickshaw near Vazahapally junction. To rebuild back to its perfect shape, the vehicle was moved to a repair workshop near Mangattukavala. It was only after the car reached the workshop that the DYSP got a call regarding the banned tobacco carted in the vehicle.

When enquired, the workshop owner revealed it was Najeeb himself who brought the car to the workshop. Najeeb is now at large. He was a noted name among police and was previously included in the list of main drug peddlers in the city. According to police, Najeeb used to store tobacco in cars and sell the same to people in need. The car and the recovered tobacco contents will be soon taken to court.