Two held with MDMA haul in Kannur

Two youths were arrested with 66.22g of MDMA at Taliparamba here on Thursday. According to the Excise department, they are key operatives in a narcotic distribution network operating in the district.

The arrested persons were identified as C. Abdushafthah of Nattuvayal, Taliparamba, and M. P. Nihal of Chorukkala. They were allegedly bringing MDMA from cities outside Kerala, including Bengaluru and Mangaluru, and distributing it through retail networks targeting youth, women, and students. Excise officials said the duo, who initially acted as intermediaries, later emerged as wholesale suppliers in the district’s drug trade.

They were taken into custody by night patrol team led by Taliparamba Excise Range Inspector J. Joseph. The Excise department said further investigation was under way to trace the wider network and supply links.