Thiruvananthapuram: Excise officials have arrested a 32-year-old man and seized 11 grams of MDMA, allegedly brought for sale in Neyyattinkara town, as part of intensified anti-drug inspections ahead of the reopening of schools.
Arrest Details
The accused, identified as Nikesh Balakrishnan, a resident of Nilambur in Malappuram district, was apprehended near the Neyyattinkara bus stand during a routine inspection. According to excise officials, Balakrishnan attempted to flee upon spotting the excise team but was chased down and arrested.
Drug Trafficking Network
Preliminary investigations revealed that Balakrishnan was acting as a carrier in a drug trafficking network. He arrived in Thiruvananthapuram by train and later traveled to Neyyattinkara by bus. The seizure is part of enhanced surveillance at public transport hubs, including railway stations and bus stands, in view of the school reopening season. Excise officials stated that drug smugglers often target educational institutions and nearby areas during this period.
Operation Thunder
The inspection was conducted under Operation Thunder, a statewide anti-drug enforcement drive implemented by the excise department. The operation is led in the region by the Neyyattinkara excise circle office as part of the government's ongoing campaign against narcotics.
Officials emphasized that such intensified inspections will continue to curb the supply of drugs, especially in areas frequented by students. The arrested individual has been booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigations are underway to trace the source of the MDMA and other links in the trafficking chain.
