Kerala Police Seize 12.8 Kg MDMA Worth Over Rs 10 Crore in Interstate Bust

In the state's largest-ever synthetic drug bust, Kerala Police have seized 12.8 kilograms of MDMA worth over Rs 10 crore from a vehicle in Coimbatore and arrested three suspects belonging to an interstate trafficking syndicate linked to routes across Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi.

The three arrested accused have been identified as Jabir Ali and Shaim Akbar from Malappuram, and Mohammed Salih from Wayanad. The operation was executed by a special team led by Malappuram District Police Chief Chaithra Teresa John, alongside Manjeri Inspector T.G. Dileep and the district DANSAF squad.

Police found the 12.8-kg consignment divided into packets weighing between 100 grams and 500 grams each. The drugs were concealed inside the door panels of an Innova car and were packaged for drop-offs at various locations from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod.

The bust followed an earlier operation conducted several weeks ago, when police raided a private apartment in Manjeri town based on a tip-off and arrested six individuals with 100 grams of MDMA. Interrogation of the suspects from that raid provided investigators with critical information about the larger interstate supply chain.

Further investigation established that the syndicate stored large quantities of MDMA at secret locations across Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai before transporting the drugs for retail distribution in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The trafficking network routinely deployed luxury vehicles equipped with hidden compartments to move consignments across state borders.

Investigators subsequently focused on Tamil Nadu, identifying Coimbatore, Palani, and Kodaikanal as key transit points used by the syndicate. After tracking middlemen and vehicular movements around these areas, the special team intercepted the suspects near Coimbatore and uncovered the concealed narcotics.

According to police estimates, the seized synthetic drugs could fetch upwards of Rs 10 crore in retail markets across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Malappuram District Police Chief said investigators are continuing efforts to trace the primary source of the consignment and identify remaining operatives in the supply chain.