Drug accused attempts to run over Excise officials during anti-drug operation; two arrested

MALAPPURAM: Excise officers from the Malappuram Excise Special Squad were allegedly attacked by a group of men who tried to run them over with a car during a drug inspection. The incident took place at Pallikkathazham in Cherumukku, Malappuram. Preventive Officer P. Prabhakaran (52) and Civil Excise Officer Vipin (35) were injured in the incident. The attack was allegedly led by an accused person in a drug case.

The incident happened at around 12:30 pm on Thursday. Tanur police arrested Kaithakath Ahammed (32), a native of Thalappara in Munniyur, and Mohammed Shafeeq (30), a native of Mamburam.

Earlier, on September 4, 2025, K.P. Sahal (29), a native of Pallikkathazham, Cherumukku, was arrested by the Malappuram Excise Enforcement and Anti-Narcotic Special Squad for possessing 5.21 grams of methamphetamine. He was later produced before the Parappanangadi Magistrate Court and remanded.

After being released on bail, excise officials received secret information that Sahal had resumed selling MDMA. Based on this information, excise officers arrived at Pallikkathazham in plain clothes on a scooter for inspection.

At that time, Sahal and his group were inside an autorickshaw (KL 52 C 3251) parked nearby. On seeing the officers, the accused reportedly got into a car and drove towards the officers, hitting their scooter. The car dragged the scooter for a short distance before speeding away towards the Chemmad C.K. Nagar area. Both officers suffered injuries to their hands and legs. Locals later took them to a hospital for treatment.