Kochi, 31 Oct (H.S.):

Nedumbassery police have arrested a key accused in a 2024 drug trafficking case from a resort in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu, where he had allegedly been hiding for two years while working as a tourist guide.

The accused was identified as Ragesh, alias Jumanji, 32, of Mangattu Thodi House at Painkulam in Thalappilly, Thrissur district. Police said he had financed the purchase of narcotics seized from a car at Athani near Nedumbassery on June 27, 2024.

The seizure comprised 316 grams of MDMA, two LSD stamps and 420 grams of cannabis. According to investigators, the drugs were being transported from Bengaluru when police intercepted the vehicle.

Two men travelling in connection with the consignment had been arrested earlier. They were identified as Azad, 38, of Kumbassery House at Chalaykkal Thottumugham in Aluva, and Harikrishnan, 28, of Koovulli House at Keezhmuri in Tirurangadi, Malappuram district. Police had also taken the car into custody.

Investigators alleged that Ragesh fled to Kullu after learning of the arrests. His suspected role in arranging funds for the purchase of the seized drugs made him a key accused in the case.

Police eventually traced him to a resort located about 20 kilometres above a base camp in the Kullu region. He had been working there as a tourist guide while remaining out of reach of the investigating team, police said.

To carry out the operation, officers posed as tourists and stayed in the area for several days. The team subsequently took Ragesh into custody, ending the prolonged search for him.

The arrest marks a fresh development in the investigation into the Athani seizure, with police now securing the custody of the man they allege provided the financial backing for the drug purchase, more than two years after the consignment was intercepted and the other accused arrested.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman