Thiruvananthapuram: A significant drug bust took place near the KSRTC bus stand at Attingal, leading to the arrest of three individuals involved in a drug trafficking operation. The Thiruvananthapuram Rural District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) seized 52g of MDMA from the suspects, based on a tip-off that the narcotics were being smuggled from Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram.
The arrested individuals are identified as Sumesh (29) from Chirayinkeezhu, Jifin (29) from Kadinamkulam, and Anju Baby (32) from Palakkad. Authorities have linked Sumesh to the leadership of a drug trafficking group, citing his history of previous arrests and ongoing cases related to narcotics. Anju, employed at a spa in Kazhakkoottam, is suspected of playing a key role in the drug distribution network that operates through such establishments. Jifin, who worked at local lodges in Kazhakkoottam, was allegedly involved in distributing drugs under the pretext of providing employment.
The 52g of MDMA is considered a commercial quantity, well above the threshold of 10g, which results in more severe charges for drug trafficking. The authorities believe that the seized drugs were intended for distribution across various locations. An investigation is underway to uncover additional members of the drug trafficking network and to trace the source of the MDMA.
The DANSAF team, led by DySP K Pradeep, and supported by Attingal DySP Manjulal, CI Gopakumar G, and other officers, executed the operation. Following the bust, 169 cases were filed, and 179 arrests were made during a state-wide operation aimed at curbing drug abuse, known as Operation D-hunt.
Authorities also seized various other drugs, including 4.5kg of ganja and 128 ganja-laced beedis as part of the effort to combat drug trafficking.
