Thrissur, 27 June (H.S.): Four persons, including two women, have been arrested after the police seized 323 grams of MDMA in a series of raids across Thrissur district, exposing what investigators suspect to be a drug distribution network operating in the region.

The accused have been identified as Shifas and Jishnu, along with Vidya and Sreelakshmi, all residents of Pavaratti near Guruvayur.

The arrests were made during a joint vehicle inspection conducted by the Thrissur City District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) and the police at Vaniyampara in Peechi. During the search, officers recovered two grams of MDMA concealed in the private parts of one of the women. The discovery prompted the police to detain all four suspects for further questioning.

Based on information obtained during interrogation, the police carried out a search at the residence of Shifas in Kakassery, where they recovered an additional 20 grams of MDMA.

The investigation subsequently led officers to an aluminium fabrication workshop at Pancharamukku near Guruvayur. A search of the premises resulted in the seizure of another 300 grams of MDMA, taking the total quantity of the synthetic narcotic recovered in the operation to 323 grams.

Police believe the accused were involved in the storage and distribution of the banned substance and are investigating the source of the narcotics as well as the network through which they were allegedly being supplied.

Officials said efforts are under way to identify the intended recipients of the drugs and determine whether the accused have links to larger interstate trafficking syndicates. The investigation has been widened to trace the origin of the seized MDMA and uncover others involved in the suspected drug supply chain.

The arrests were made as part of the Thrissur City Police's intensified crackdown on the trafficking and sale of synthetic narcotics in the district.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman