ASP's 'neighbours' arrested with 18 kg hybrid cannabis worth Rs 18 crore

ALUVA: A young couple has been arrested after 18 kg of hybrid cannabis, allegedly worth Rs 18 crore, was seized from a flat complex in Perumbavoor, where ASP Hardik Meena resides. The accused, identified as Ayush (39) from Njarakkal, and his wife Anila (34), a native of Mannam, were arrested from Flat 6C at Nanma Flats in Kunnuvazhi, Vazhakulam panchayat. The ASP lives on the 10th floor of the same apartment complex.

The couple had started staying in the flat on rent on the 12th of this month. Police said they believed that there would be no police or excise surveillance as the ASP lived in the same building. However, their plan failed when Ayush was caught with 1.166 kg of hybrid cannabis while riding a bike in the Kunnuvazhi area on Wednesday evening.

Following his arrest, police conducted a search at the flat during the night and recovered another 16 kg of hybrid cannabis. Anila was also arrested from the flat. Police said the couple had no close contacts with other residents of the apartment complex.

Cannabis trade for luxury lifestyle
Ernakulam DIG Yathish Chandra said this was the first time such a large quantity of hybrid cannabis had been seized in the district. Police said Ayush and Anila are second-time spouses and had married four years ago. Ayush's children from his first marriage live with his former wife, while Anila's daughter, who is a Plus One student, stays with the couple.

Ayush was working as a driver of small goods vehicles, while Anila was an employee of a leading Ayurvedic medicine company. Police said the couple quit their jobs and started selling cannabis to lead a luxurious lifestyle.