Kannur, 11 July (H.S.): In a major anti-narcotics operation under the ongoing Operation Toofan, police seized 185 grams of MDMA allegedly concealed in candy wrappers and arrested a man from Chirakkal in Kannur district.

The accused, identified as Mohammed Sameel, was taken into custody by a special police team led by the Thalassery Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) following a tip-off about his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

According to police, the operation was launched after receiving credible intelligence that Sameel was distributing synthetic drugs in colourful candy wrappers to avoid suspicion. Investigators suspect the method was intended to make the drugs appear harmless and facilitate their circulation, with students and young people believed to be among the intended targets.

Following Sameel's arrest, police searched his residence and recovered 185 grams of MDMA. The narcotics had been packed in multiple covers and concealed inside a cooler.

The search was carried out jointly by the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) and the Thalassery ASP's team as part of Operation Toofan, an intensive drive against drug trafficking across Kerala.

Police believe the seizure points to increasingly sophisticated methods adopted by traffickers to evade detection. Investigators are probing whether the accused was part of a larger narcotics distribution network. Further investigation is under way to trace the source of the MDMA and identify other persons involved.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman