Kochi , 10 July (H.S.):

In one of the biggest synthetic drug seizures under the ongoing Operation Toofan, the Ernakulam District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) arrested a 26-year-old gym trainer and former bodybuilding champion with nearly 390 grams of commercial-quantity MDMA in Kochi on Thursday night.

The accused, Mohammed Sadiq, a native of Edathala near Aluva and a former ‘Mr Ernakulam’ title winner, was intercepted around 9.30 pm at Vazhakkala in Thrikkakara after days of surveillance by a DANSAF team led by Sub-Inspector Vinoj Antony.

Police recovered 387.26 grams of MDMA from a shoulder bag in his possession. They also seized ₹66,000, believed to be proceeds from drug sales, a digital weighing scale, ziplock covers allegedly used for packaging narcotics, and the motorcycle used to transport the drugs. According to the police, the motorcycle had a modified or missing registration number plate and was also taken into custody.

The accused and the seized articles were later handed over to the Thrikkakara police, which registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Investigators said Sadiq had emerged as a major supplier of synthetic drugs among youngsters, party circles and several popular nightclubs in Kochi. He was allegedly a close associate of an alleged drug kingpin identified as Kevin, who was arrested earlier this year with around 450 grams of MDMA.

Police believe Sadiq took over the operations of the syndicate after Kevin was jailed nearly four months ago.

After Kevin's arrest, Sadiq, who was one of the core members of the gang, assumed control of the network and began running the business independently, a DANSAF officer said.

The police said Sadiq had been under close surveillance for more than a week after receiving specific intelligence about his activities. Acting on the information, the DANSAF team intercepted him before he could escape.

He did not even get an opportunity to run. We intercepted him as soon as he arrived and recovered the drugs immediately from the bag he was carrying, an officer said.

Preliminary examination of Sadiq's bank accounts revealed transactions exceeding ₹10 lakh within a single week. Investigators suspect the money represents proceeds from synthetic drug trafficking.

According to the investigation, the MDMA was allegedly sourced from outside Kerala through another member of the network who is currently absconding. The consignments were reportedly delivered to a hideout in Kumarakom, where Sadiq had been staying temporarily.

Police believe he collected the consignments there, divided the drugs into smaller packets using digital weighing scales and supplied them to customers across Kochi.

Investigators have now expanded the probe to identify the entire distribution network and customer base. They are examining Sadiq's mobile phone, financial transactions and Call Detail Records (CDR).

We are conducting a detailed examination of his phone records and CDR. We have obtained specific information about several customers, including some high-profile individuals, and the investigation is progressing in that direction, police sources said.

The arrest comes as the Ernakulam City Police intensify their crackdown on synthetic drug trafficking linked to Kochi's nightlife under Operation Toofan. Police said stricter regulations have recently been imposed on DJ parties and late-night events under the directions of City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar to curb the circulation of party drugs.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners of Police Ashwathy Jiji and Arun K. Pavithran, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Narcotic Cell) T.D. Sunil Kumar.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman