Kozhikode, 30 May (H.S.):The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday carried out extensive searches across four districts in northern Kerala as part of its probe into a major explosives seizure case that was initially registered by the Tirurangadi Police in Malappuram district.

The coordinated raids were conducted at multiple locations in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts. The searches are linked to an investigation into the alleged illegal transportation and storage of explosives that were seized earlier this year.

According to sources, one of the key locations searched was Chemmad near Tirurangadi in Malappuram district, where a truck carrying a large quantity of explosives had arrived on February 7. The vehicle had reportedly reached a hollow-bricks manufacturing and sales unit. During unloading operations, police conducted an inspection and discovered that explosive materials had been concealed beneath sacks of onions inside the truck.

Subsequent investigations traced the alleged source of the explosives to a man identified as Harris, a resident of Mukkam in Kozhikode district. The NIA later took over the case from the state police owing to its seriousness and interstate dimensions.

On Saturday, NIA teams simultaneously searched Harris’s residence and business establishments in Mukkam. Harris has been named as the prime accused in the case and is currently absconding. Officials also carried out searches at the residences and premises of the truck owner, individuals allegedly associated with the transportation of the explosives, and the owner of the hollow-bricks unit where the consignment was delivered.

The case was originally investigated by the Tirurangadi Police, who arrested several suspects following the seizure. A total of seven persons have been named as accused in the case, while six were arrested during the initial phase of the investigation.

During questioning, the accused claimed that the explosives were intended for use in quarrying operations. However, investigators later found that none of them possessed valid quarry licences, raising suspicions about the intended use and source of the materials.

The NIA also conducted searches in Cherupuzha in Kannur district and Chittarikkal in Kasaragod district. In Chittarikkal, officials reportedly recovered gelatin sticks during a search at the residence of a man identified as George. Raids were also carried out at the residence of a former quarry owner in Kampalloor near Chittarikkal and at another house in Cherupuzha.

The investigation is continuing, and officials have not ruled out further arrests in the case.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman