Karukutty MDMA seizure: Accused amassed money to buy drugs, aim was to make Rs 75 lakh via sales

KOCHI: Abid (33) and Sivaprasad (29), the accused in the Karukutty drug case, collected Rs 13 lakh during the lockdown to buy drugs. In addition to the money saved from the drug deal, money was collected from friends. They estimated that about Rs 75 lakh could be earned through sales. The goal was to capitalize on the youth's turn to drugs after alcohol became unavailable during lockdown. It is being investigated whether the payers were involved in the case.

The SIT was informed that the accused had smuggled drugs into Kerala several times. They used to smuggle drugs while making return trips from Chennai with pineapple. Initially ten and fifty grams each were brought. Later the dose was increased. They were caught in the first attempt to smuggle major quantity. The probe team has received information about the person who handed over the drug to them.

The drugs were sold in small packets. Last day, police had taken evidence from Sivaprasad (Shyam)'s house in Kuzhupilli. He was accompanied by his co-accused Abid (33). Additional SP S Madhusoodanan led the investigation and found very small plastic bags used to pack drugs. Police also suspect the role of high-ups in the case. On Saturday evening, the youths were caught with MDMA worth lakhs in their possession.