THRISSUR: The Anti-narcotics squad has arrested four people for trying to smuggle 221 kg ganja in a luxury car. The ganja seized was for distribution in Thrissur, Ernakulam, Palakkad and Alappuzha districts.

Chiyyaram native Alex, Riyas from Poovathur, Alappuzha Panavally native Praveen Raj and Chacko from Kattoor have been caught. They buy ganja wholesale from Orissa and bring it to Kerala and then sell it to middlemen. The sale is for ten times more than the purchase price. They use private cars to transport ganja. They smuggled ganja in a luxury car with Haryana registration to avoid suspicion.

Among the arrested accused, Chiyyaram native Alex was previously sentenced to seven years in prison by the court in a case in Thiruvalla police station. He is now on bail after appealing to the High Court. Praveen Raj has also many cases against him in Palakkad, Ernakulam and Thrissur. Chacko and Riyas are accused in assault cases. The police are investigating their financial resources, those who distributed ganja, and those who buy ganja from them and retail it.