Kochi, 02 September (H.S.):The Excise Department has formed a 10-member Special Investigation Team to investigate a suspected inter-state drug syndicate uncovered after 281 grams of MDMA was seized in two operations in Kochi last week.
The SIT, headed by Ernakulam Assistant Excise Commissioner (Enforcement) Joby A.T., will examine the network's supply routes, finances and alleged links in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Chandigarh. It includes two circle inspectors, two inspectors and four civil excise officers.
The investigation began after an excise team raided a luxury hotel in Kaloor on August 22 and seized 49 grams of MDMA. Siddique, 27, of Mannam in Paravur, and Finala Maria D'Rozario, 18, of Pachalam, were arrested.
Information allegedly provided by them led officers to intercept a Mahindra Thar at Vyttila later that day. Following a brief pursuit, officers detained Varun Dev, 35, and Vipin S. Kumar, 30, both from Thiruvalla.
A search allegedly uncovered 232 grams of MDMA hidden in a specially designed compartment beneath the steering wheel. The vehicle, mobile phones and ₹69,425 in suspected sale proceeds were also seized. All four accused are in judicial custody.
Investigators suspect Varun Dev operated as a wholesale supplier while posing as a pre-owned car dealer. The network, which had earlier sourced drugs from Bengaluru, allegedly shifted procurement to northern India following Operation Toofan. Excise officials said call records indicated that he had made four or five trips to the region.
The drugs were allegedly transported to a stash point in Kottayam, sometimes using young women as couriers, before being distributed to retailers on credit. Payments were largely collected in cash.
The SIT will analyse bank accounts and telecom records, trace suspected assets and identify suppliers, couriers, financiers and distributors. It will also examine a lead concerning the possible involvement of a Kottayam-based youth leader in handling illicit funds.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman