Delhi-sourced MDMA smuggled to Kochi by train, police say

The synthetic drug haul recovered from Mattancherry last week was transported to Kochi by train from the national capital, investigators probing the seizure have said.

Delhi connection established

Mattancherry native Noufal, 32, allegedly sourced the MDMA from Delhi, according to sources with the anti-narcotic wing of the Kochi City police. Travel records collected by officers show the accused had visited the capital region at least three times in the four months preceding his arrest.

"Further investigation is on into trace others involved in the crime," a senior officer said.

Concealed in appliances

The District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force seized 1.980 kg of suspected MDMA from a car allegedly used by Noufal. The contraband was hidden inside a tower fan and an air cooler.

The police described it as the largest synthetic drug seizure within Kochi city limits since Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt was launched in June.

History-sheeter faces KAAPA action

Noufal is a history-sheeter with drug cases pending against him across different police stations. Authorities are likely to recommend preventive action under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act in the wake of the latest case involving a large quantity of synthetic drugs.

The raid that led to the seizure followed the recent arrest of another Mattancherry native, Safeer Thazhakath, by the Palarivattom police with 0.01 gram of suspected MDMA.

Source: The Hindu