MDMA worth Rs 5 lakh seized; four, including woman, arrested in Kochi 

KOCHI: Four drug distributors, including a woman, were arrested in lightning raids conducted by the Excise Special Squad in Angamaly and Thaikoodam. 114 grams of MDMA, estimated to be worth around Rs 5 lakh, were seized from them. The MDMA had reportedly been brought from Bengaluru to both locations.

One of the arrested, Edwin David (33), a native of Vadakkan Kidangoor, Angamaly, was formerly an engineering student in Bengaluru. He was caught this morning with 91 grams of MDMA from his house. According to the Excise Department, Edwin has close ties with the film industry. It was during his time studying B.Tech in Bengaluru that he allegedly got involved in drug distribution. Despite having gone abroad for a period, he returned and resumed supplying MDMA. He reportedly brought the drugs to his home in Kidangoor on Friday. Due to growing suspicion, his house had previously been searched by the police.

The search was led by Excise Special Squad Inspector K.P. Pramod. Others arrested included Maradu natives Sajith Shajan (29), Vishnu Prahladan (26) and Palluruthy native Liji Mary Joy (34). Liji used to bring drugs from Bengaluru.

They were caught Saturday night from a resort on Canal Road, Thaikkoodam. The operation was carried out based on a tip-off. Authorities recovered 23.8499 grams of MDMA from this group.

The investigation team included Preventive Officer Suresh Kumar and Civil Excise Officers Prajith, Subeesh, Shyamkumar, and Viji.