Daijiworld Media Network - Malappuram

Malappuram, Jun 26: A 38-year-old man was arrested after police seized around 780 grams of the synthetic drug MDMA, valued at approximately Rs 25 lakh, from his possession in Kondotty, Malappuram district, early Friday.

The accused has been identified as Ratheesh V., a resident of Olavattur in Aroor near Kondotty.

According to police, personnel of the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) intercepted Ratheesh while he was travelling on a scooter at Aroor around 1.30 am.

During the search, officers recovered two packets containing 391.37 grams and 389.22 grams of MDMA, taking the total seizure to nearly 780 grams.

Police estimated the value of the seized contraband at around Rs 25 lakh in the illegal market.

A case has been registered against the accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, following which he was taken into custody.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Ratheesh had allegedly been involved in drug trafficking for several years. Police suspect he procured MDMA in bulk from other states and distributed it in smaller quantities in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts for higher profits.

Officials said further investigation is underway to trace the source of the drugs and identify other members of the alleged trafficking network.

The accused will be produced before the court after completion of the necessary legal formalities.