KOCHI: Two persons, including a merchant navy student, were caught by the excise with the drug nicknamed ice meth. Shabin Shaji (26), a native of Eloor Manjummel, and Akshay VS (27), a native of Aluva Choornikkara, the leader of the "Manjummal Machan" drug gang, were arrested in a joint operation by the State Excise Enforcement Squad, Excise Intelligence and Varappuzha Range.

10 grams of methamphetamine, nicknamed ice meth, was recovered from the arrested persons. Shabin, who is doing a merchant navy course in Rajasthan, was selling drugs in Kalamassery, Eloor and Manjummel areas after buying drugs from a native of Punjab whom he met in Rajasthan. Two weeks ago, the State Excise Enforcement Squad caught the duo with 62 grams of methamphetamine, three kilograms of ganja and 18 drug pills from Vythila Chakkaraparambu.

From their questioning, information about a group known as "Manjummal Machan" who was selling drugs in Ernakulam town using social media was obtained. Following this, phone call information, social media accounts and their movements were monitored secretly under the leadership of Assistant Excise Commissioner T Anikumar, head of the State Excise Enforcement Squad.

They were handing over the drug at Manjummel Kadavu road around midnight. As usual, both of them came to hand over the drugs in the morning and tried to run away after seeing the excise team, but were chased and caught. Shabin Shaji tried to swallow the drugs in his hand and created panic but was unsuccessful due to the timely intervention of the officials. Shabin and Akshay are ex-accused in Narcotics cases in the Varapuzha Excise Range.

The team that caught the accused included Varapuzha Range Inspector MP Pramod, State Excise Enforcement Squad Preventive Officer ND Tommy, Intelligence Preventive Officer NG Ajithkumar, Varapuzha Range Assistant Excise Inspector PU Rishikesan, Preventive Officer Anish K Joseph, CEOs Anoop S, Samaldev and female CEOs They are Tasia KM.