THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Eight people were arrested with MDMA, a deadly drug, as part of a drug raid in the city. Six members of a gang known as Billa Boys were arrested by the Valiyathura police and two others by the Vanchiyoor police. Shanu (24), a resident of Valiyathura, Shihaz (21), a resident of Sulaiman Street, Achu (23) of Puthuwal Puthan house, Syedali (20) of Shami Mansil near airport road, Al Ameen (22) of Sulaiman Street and Ansal Rahman (21), a native of Valiyathura, were arrested in a planned move by a special team of Shankhumukham sub-division.

The accused had gathered at a house in Valiyathura to sell drugs around various parts of the city. The arrested have been identified as the leaders of a gang that sells drugs in schools and colleges of the city. A total of 3.76 gram MDMA has been seized from them. Of the accused, Shanu is also an accused in a murder case registered in Valiyathura station. Another accused Al Ameen is an accused in several beating cases too. They were arrested by a team, led by Shankhumukham AC D K Prithviraj, consisting of Valiyathura SHO T Sathi Kumar among others.

During an inspection conducted by Vanchiyoor police, two natives of Vizhinjam and Kottapuram, namely Benson Benny and Tino Perera, were arrested. A total of 0.84 gram MDMA has been seized from them. Inspection will be tightened in the coming days, said Prithviraj.