Mangaluru:  Mangaluru Police, on Friday night, have arrested eight persons who were allegedly posing as National Crime Investigation Bureau (NCIB) personnel and extorting money from people. 

The accused have been identified as T. Sam Peter (53), a native of Kerala, T.K. Bopanna (33) of Siddapur in Madikeri, Madan (41) of Bengaluru South, Chinnappa (38) of Virajpet, Sunil Raju (35) of Kanakapura in Bengaluru, Kodandarama (39) of Gowdanapalya ,Utharahalli in Bengaluru,  G. Moideen alias Cherian (70) of Kuloor in Mangaluru and S.A.K Abdul Lathif (59) of Falnir.

In a press release, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Dr. Harsha has said that acting on a tip-off, the Police rushed to Pumpwell in Mangaluru City and surrounded the SUV with no number plate parked near the Highway and arrested the five accused. It is said that the gang was planning to execute a Highway dacoity.  

On checking the SUV, the Police recovered .22 revolver, eight live bullets, 4.5 mm pistol, laptop, voice recorder, mobile phones and other documents. The Police said that the gang possessed fake NCIB ID cards and visiting cards. During interrogation, the accused revealed that other members of the gang were staying at a lodge in Mangaluru based on which three other accused were also arrested.