Drug trafficking under guise of clothing business: Family caught with MDMA in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A family allegedly involved in drug trafficking under the guise of a clothing business was caught by the Excise Department with MDMA in Thiruvananthapuram. The group was intercepted at Aralummoodu on Tuesday night during Operation Thunder, a special drive to curb drug trafficking ahead of Onam.

Kiran, a native of Eanchakkal, his mother Beena (50), his friend Akshay and Kiran's girlfriend were taken into custody. MDMA was recovered from the car they were travelling in. The group told officials that they were returning after purchasing clothes from Tiruppur. Kiran's daughter from his first marriage was also travelling with them. The three-year-old was later moved to a safe place.

According to the Excise Department, the group allegedly used the clothing business as a cover to travel outside the state and carry out drug deals. They were allegedly returning after purchasing 125 grams of MDMA in Bengaluru when they were caught. The operation was launched after the Excise Department received confidential information that the family was involved in drug trafficking.