Mangaluru: Officials of the police and mining and geology department on Thursday, September 13 conducted a joint raid and seized 780 tonnes of illegally stored sand from three areas in the city.

Acting on credible information, the officials raided the private properties at Valachil, Adyar and Arkula and seized 78 loads of sand valuing Rs 5,00,000 approximately.

The sand confiscated, during the raid, was handed over to the deputy director, department of mining and geology, Mangaluru and the police have initiated a probe to identify the culprits.

Mangaluru south subdivision ACP K Ramarao, Mangaluru rural police station personnel and south subdivision anti-rowdy squad participated in the operation.