Bhatkal: The Bhatkal rural police have arrested a team of more than five Bihari persons in connection with selling fake honey by mixing jaggery and sugar with ghee.

The arrested persons have been identified as Jagdish Beran Singh Mandal (25), Kiran Mandal (20), Muhammed Azharuddin Ansari (20), Muhammed Fairoz Ansari (30) and Muhamed Shahid Ansari (20). All belonged to Therma Fatehpur of Gaya District in Bihar.



The group which had headed to Karnataka along with their families, in the search of employment was allegedly trying to sell the adulterated honey here in the state. Hundreds of people in the district have been fooled by them, it is said. A few police officers have also become victim to them, when the honey was tasted by them later on, the reality was revealed. The police brought them to the police station after search.

A few honey bees were noticed in the vessels which were present with them, the police said. They were trying to cheat the onlookers with these. Also that, the group was forward with their presence anywhere a beehive was seen in the town, faking the honey which was already present with them as the honey which was received from the beehive.



The culprits were presented in front of Taluka Magistrate the Bhatkal Talsildar, Dr Madhukeshwar.

The case is being investigated by the SI Naveen Jogi at the Bhatkal rural police station.