In a significant crackdown on narcotics, Kozhikode police have arrested a 36-year-old man and seized a large consignment of MDMA, valued at approximately Rs 50 lakh, from a private lodge in the city. The arrest, made on Tuesday, has exposed a key link in a drug supply chain operating across Kerala.
Lodge Raid Nets Major Haul
The operation was conducted by a joint team comprising the medical college police and the Kozhikode city narcotic cell's special Dansaf squad. Acting on a specific tip-off, the team, led by Assistant Commissioner K A Bose, raided Marhaba Lodge located near MIMS Hospital.
During the raid, the officials apprehended the accused, identified as Shamseer, a resident of Vanimel, Kallachi. He was currently staying at his wife's house in Puthoor Madham near Mundupalam. The police recovered around 710 grams of MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy) from his possession.
Modus Operandi of the Accused
Investigations revealed that Shamseer, who had returned to India about six months ago after working abroad for nearly 17 years, played a pivotal role in a well-organized drug network. Police stated that he was a key figure who procured drugs in bulk from major cities like Bengaluru, Goa, and Delhi.
His method involved booking rooms in private lodges to receive and then distribute the contraband to smaller peddlers. To evade police attention, he strategically chose small lodges situated near hospitals, believing they would draw less suspicion. Authorities believe he was a major supplier, facilitating the bulk supply of MDMA to various locations spanning from Thrissur to Kasaragod.
Ongoing Investigation and Network Probe
Shamseer was reportedly under the surveillance of the Dansaf squad for some time before the decisive raid. Following his arrest, preliminary questioning provided the police with crucial leads about other individuals involved in the trafficking network.
Investigators are now intensively probing the origins of the seized drugs and tracing the entire supply chain to identify all recipients and distributors. This arrest is seen as a major breakthrough in disrupting the flow of synthetic drugs into the northern districts of Kerala.
