Over 12 kg MDMA seizure largest-ever in Keralam, says Minister Chennithala

Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday said the recent seizure of over 12 kg of MDMA in Malappuram was the largest-ever in Keralam and that the roots of a drug mafia network were being targeted as part of the anti-narcotic drive 'Operation Toofan'.

In a post on 'X', Chennithala said a 97-gram MDMA seizure in Malappuram led investigators to the larger consignment and that the operation was targeting a major network allegedly smuggling synthetic drugs into Keralam.

"Operation Toofan is currently targeting the root of a major mafia network smuggling synthetic drugs into Kerala," he said.

Chennithala said more than 10,000 arrests have been made so far under Operation Toofan, which he said demonstrated the extent to which law enforcement had penetrated the network.

"The storm of Operation Toofan will sweep away this death-peddling mafia. That is the promise the Kerala Government and I give to this land. We will uproot drugs completely," he said.

Malappuram police on Friday arrested three persons in Coimbatore in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and seized over 12 kg of MDMA worth around Rs 10 crore.

The arrest and seizure were made as part of the investigation into a commercial quantity drug seizure case registered at Manjeri police station on August 6, in which nearly 97 grams of MDMA was recovered.

NATIONAL THIRUVANANTHAPURAM