Many persons have been arrested by the Excise department in its narcotic special drive across the state. Huge amounts of new-gen drugs and cannabis have also been confiscated in the drive.

A search was conducted at Kaipamangalam in Thrissur on a tip-off that was received by central region Commissioner squad member CEO Mujeeb Rehman. Two persons have been arrested in the search by Excise Special Squad Circle Inspector, Junaid, and his team.

The arrested are Chendrapenni native Jinesh, 31, aka Kerala Bro, and Kaipamangalam native Vishnu, 25. They were in possession of 15.2 grams of MDMA. The duo was apprehended through a daring attempt by law enforcement officers. One officer also got injured during the arrest attempt.

The arrested youths were accused of selling drugs to fishermen in coastal areas and to students. From questioning them, the students, who brought drugs from there were identified and their parents were summoned. The Excise has also called for the help of the de-addiction center.

Investigations are on to find the financial source of the arrested persons and those who supplied the substance to them. Those who took part in the team that captured Jinesh and Vishnu are Commissioner Squad member Mujeed Rehman, POs of Special Squad office, Manoj Kumar, Jayan Sunil Das, Harish, Shanoj, WCEO Noorja, and driver Manoj TP.

In another incident at Manjeshwar Excise check post, CI Shijin Kumar and team apprehended Kasaragod native Muhammad Ashique, who was in possession of 54 gm of MDMA.

During a patrol by Excise Range Officer, Sajith T and his team at Ettumanoor, caught two youths with cannabis. The arrested are Ronaldo Philip, 20, and Ajith, 23. An amount of 1.23 kg of cannabis was in their possession. Another person who was with the accused ran away before the officers could arrest him. Investigation has begun against all three accused. They were already involved in many NDPS cases.

In Mavellikara, Excise CI, P Anilkumar and his team apprehended a person, Adrash, with 1.707 gm MDMA in front of the petrol pump situated near the ITBP camp.