In a significant pre-dawn operation, a special squad from the Kollam Excise Enforcement and Anti-Narcotic unit apprehended two individuals, one of whom is an accused in a murder case, and confiscated a substantial quantity of the party drug MDMA.
Midnight Operation Based on Secret Information
Acting swiftly on a specific tip-off, a team led by Inspector Dileep C P conducted a surprise check at Panmana Edappallykotta in the early hours of Wednesday. The operation commenced around 2:15 am, when the officials intercepted an autorickshaw carrying the suspects.
Identities and Serious Criminal Backgrounds Revealed
The arrested persons were identified as Ratheesh (39), a resident of Meenad in Kollam district, and Amitabh Chandran (39), from Krishnapuram in Alappuzha. Investigations uncovered their serious criminal histories. Chandran is an accused in a murder case registered in Kayamkulam back in 2023. Ratheesh, meanwhile, faces multiple attempt-to-murder cases, painting a picture of individuals deeply entrenched in criminal activities beyond narcotics.
Contraband and Weapons Seized from Possession
From the possession of the duo, the enforcement officials recovered a total of 11.65 grams of MDMA, a potent synthetic stimulant. In addition to the drugs, the seizure included a 29-centimetre-long dagger and three mobile phones, which are believed to be crucial for further investigation into their network.
Inter-State Drug Link Uncovered
Preliminary interrogation of the accused has revealed an inter-state drug connection. Investigators stated that the duo procured the narcotics from a Nigerian national based in Bengaluru, highlighting the pan-India reach of such illicit networks. This points to organized drug trafficking operations sourcing substances from metropolitan hubs and distributing them in other regions.
Legal Proceedings and Judicial Custody
The Kollam police have registered a case against the accused under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Following their arrest, the court has remanded both Ratheesh and Amitabh Chandran to judicial custody for 14 days. This period will allow the excise and police departments to deepen their probe, potentially uncovering more links in the supply chain and arresting other accomplices.
This successful raid underscores the continued vigilance of Kerala's excise and anti-narcotic special squads in combating the drug menace, especially targeting individuals with violent criminal records who diversify into narcotics trade.
