Ernakulam saw a surge in the inflow of suspected synthetic drugs in April, with nearly 1 kg of MDMA seized in multiple operations. Of this, 396.04 grams were recovered within the city limits, while the rural police confiscated over 500 grams in a major haul.
The spike follows a crackdown triggered by a raid at a star hotel at Kadavanthra in March, where eight professionals were arrested with suspected narcotic substances. The probe led to the arrest of Kevin B. Mathew, 42, the alleged kingpin of a city-based racket from Vazhakkala with 183.55 grams of suspected MDMA and 93.51 grams of suspected ecstasy pills.
Subsequent operations targeting his network resulted in multiple arrests. Siyad, 42, of Edappally and Adil Ansar, 24, from Kollam were held from a lodge in Kalamassery with 6.79 grams of suspected MDMA and cannabis, while Siddique, 28, of North Paravur was caught at Vattekkunnam near Kalamassery, with 30 grams of suspected MDMA. Linoj, 22, who was arrested near Madavana with 46.28 grams, is also suspected to have sourced drugs from Kevin.
Published – May 02, 2026 10:24 pm IST
