Kochi: In a significant breakthrough under the ongoing Operation Toofan against narcotics, the Ernakulam rural police executed two major seizures. Three individuals were apprehended with 4 kilograms of ganja. The accused, identified as Rafikul Sheikh (30), Juyel Sheikh (22), and Sahin Sheikh (29), all residents of Murshidabad, West Bengal, were captured during a joint operation by the rural district anti-narcotic special action force (Dansaf) and Aluva police.
Ganja Seizure Details
The three-member gang procured the ganja from Odisha and traveled by train, disembarking at Angamaly railway station. From there, they took an autorickshaw and were intercepted by police at Thottakkattukara, Aluva. The contraband was found packed in 16 special packets concealed inside a shoulder bag. It was intended for sale in the Perumbavoor and Muvattupuzha areas. The suspects planned to return after completing the sale. Purchased from Odisha at a rate of Rs 5,000 per kilogram, the ganja is sold locally at ten times that price. Police have also launched an investigation into the buyers.
MDMA Arrests
In a separate incident, police arrested two individuals with MDMA. The arrested are Deepu (37) of Puthenvelikkara and Seethu (34) of Kottayam. They were spotted inside a car near TB Road in Paravur. Acting on a tip-off, police conducted a search and discovered nearly 4 grams of MDMA inside a wallet. Police stated that inspections have been intensified in connection with Operation Toofan.
Use of Sniffer Dog
Police are also utilizing the services of Misty, an 8-year-old Labrador retriever, the narcotic sniffer dog of the K9 Squad of Ernakulam rural district police. Misty is an expert in detecting narcotics and has undergone specialized training. She is being deployed at railway stations, bus stands, Perumbavoor town, and other station limits.
