Thrissur, 26 July (H.S.): A fitness centre in Thrissur was allegedly being used as a front for a drug trafficking network, leading to the arrest of two men and the seizure of narcotic substances during a police operation.

The arrested have been identified as Vishnu (32), a native of Nedupuzha, and Prajal Gogoi (34), a resident of Assam who worked as an employee and assistant at the fitness centre. According to the police, Vishnu operated Viva Fitness Centre at Padinjarekkotta along with a connected outlet named Protein Mall.

The arrests were made as part of Operation Toofan, an intensified anti-narcotics drive launched by the police to curb the distribution of drugs across the State. Acting on confidential intelligence, investigators had been discreetly monitoring the activities of the accused for some time before carrying out the raid.

During surveillance, police observed that Prajal Gogoi was making frequent visits to a courier agency in the city. Further investigation revealed that parcels were being dispatched under the guise of textile consignments meant for another business owned by Vishnu, identified as Western Wholesale. Police suspect the courier network was being used to transport narcotic substances to multiple destinations while disguising them as legitimate commercial shipments.

Following the surveillance, officers conducted a detailed search of the fitness centre and associated premises. The raid led to the recovery of approximately four grams of hybrid cannabis, 464 grams of cannabis, and three grams of MDMA. The seized substances were taken into custody by the District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF), which participated in the operation.

Investigators are now examining the extent of the alleged distribution network, including the destinations to which the parcels had been sent and whether additional individuals were involved in the operation. Police are also probing the source of the narcotics and the financial transactions linked to the racket.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman