Major Narcotics Haul in Kochi's Suburbs
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Kerala police apprehended two individuals and confiscated a massive 37 kilograms of ganja (cannabis) near Kochi on Friday. The operation, which culminated in a dramatic chase, unfolded in the Ayyampuzha area close to Kalady.
The Arrest and the Dramatic Pursuit
The arrested men have been identified as Sahidul Islam (30) from Raninanagar, Murshidabad, and Mohammed Anbar (30) from Malda, both hailing from West Bengal. Acting on a specific tip-off received by the district police chief, a team led by the Perumbavoor Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and local Ayyampuzha police personnel moved into action.
According to officials, the suspects were intercepted around 6:30 PM on Friday at Olive Mount in Ayyampuzha. When police signaled their vehicle to stop, the duo abandoned it and attempted to flee on foot. A pursuit ensued through back roads used by the accused to evade capture, but they were eventually caught.
Supply Chain and Previous Record
Investigations revealed that the narcotics were sourced from Odisha. The ganja was transported via train to Aluva and was being moved further by an autorickshaw at the time of the seizure. Police disclosed that the contraband was purchased in Odisha for approximately Rs 3,000 per kilogram and was intended to be sold in Kerala for a staggering Rs 25,000 per kg, highlighting the lucrative nature of the illegal trade.
In a concerning revelation, police noted that the first accused, Sahidul Islam, has a prior record. He was previously caught by the Kalady police earlier this year in connection with another case involving 16 kg of ganja.
Simultaneous MDMA Raid in Kochi City
In a related development underscoring the police's intensified drive against drugs, the Kochi City Police conducted a separate raid on Saturday. The Narcotic Cell's special team (DANSAF), led by Assistant Commissioner K A Abdul Salam, seized 13.89 grams of MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy) from an apartment located near Kaloor Banerji Road.
Two individuals, identified as Vipin (31) and Jithin (27), both residents of Elamkunnapuzha in Ernakulam, were arrested in connection with this case. Authorities described the duo as key players involved in supplying the synthetic party drug to the youth network across various parts of the Ernakulam district.
The back-to-back successful operations signal a strong stance by law enforcement agencies in Kerala against the narcotics trade, targeting both traditional substances like ganja and synthetic drugs like MDMA that are popular among younger demographics.
