Mangaluru: The city police on Wednesday seized around 30 loads of sand illegally extracted from around Batpady Beach near Talapady As many as 16 boats , including two large boats, were also seized. The total value of the seized items is Rs 17 lakh, said police sources.Uma Prashanth, DCP (crime and traffic) said sand was being stored at three places, near Talapady Ferry Road, Kalpane and Sasihitlu. The police team conducted the raid based on credible information that Haneef, Shakeel, Raghunath and Sudheer had illegally extracted and stored the sand. The seized items have been handed over to the department of mines and geology for further investigation.Illegal sand mining in this area has destroyed sand dunes that prevented the flow of water from rivulets into the sea. According to sources, the sand extracted was being transported to Kerala in the night, using interior roads.Shop guttedA pharmacy was gutted at the Central Market here late on Tuesday night. No casualties were reported. A short-circuit is said to have led to the fire. Firemen rushed to the spot and doused the fire. Property worth Rs 15 lakh was destroyed.

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