The Excise Department in Keralam has busted a major drug racket that allegedly smuggled MDMA from Delhi using women as carriers. Four people have been arrested in connection with the case, and around 279.3 grams of MDMA has been recovered from the accused. According to Excise officials, the operation began with the arrest of two individuals, including an 18-year-old woman, from a luxury hotel in Kaloor.
The duo was found in possession of 49.3 grams of MDMA. Further interrogation led to the identification of a wholesale dealer named Varun Dev, who was allegedly trafficking MDMA into Keralam. Excise officials intercepted Varun Dev’s vehicle at Vyttila, recovering 230 grams of MDMA and three grams of hashish oil from a secret compartment.
Varun Dev and his accomplice, Vipin S Kumar, were arrested on the spot. The total haul includes six mobile phones and Rs 69,500 in cash. The modus operandi of the accused involved traveling to Delhi in a Mahindra Thar SUV, using women as carriers to bring the contraband into Keralam, and then retailing it locally.
The arrested individuals were targeting young people for their drug operations, using tactics such as trapping young girls for drug smuggling and trade. Excise officials have expressed concern over the involvement of young people in such cases, citing the severe legal consequences. Those convicted in commercial quantity cases can face imprisonment of up to 20 years, with a minimum sentence of 10 years.
