Noticing a disturbing spike in the number of cases involving alleged MDMA smuggling from Karnataka to Kerala, the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) from various north Kerala districts have started working together to track more suspected drug carriers who reportedly pretend to be couples or family members on tour to facilitate the illegal trade. The Bengaluru-Kozhikode route is now under heightened surveillance with uncompromising inspections.
“Bengaluru is seemingly the hub of MDMA supply to north Kerala districts, which we can fight only through intensified surveillance measures and inter-district coordination. DANSAF squads are keen to exchange valuable intelligence inputs with other district units for prompt action,” said a senior police officer with DANSAF in Kozhikode city. He added that flying squads of the Excise department have also joined the information exchange network for stricter enforcement.
According to DANSAF sources, over the last four years, special squads under DANSAF have seized synthetic drugs worth ₹2 crore within the Kozhikode city limits. Around 250 people were arrested, of them, 35 carriers were reportedly frequent offenders. In 2025 alone, eight major carriers were arrested with a total seizure of 830gm of synthetic drugs. In the past five years, nearly 7kg of MDMA has been seized by anti-narcotic squads, said DANSAF sources.
According to DANSAF sources, carriers posing as families or couples on tour have been creating a challenging situation for enforcement squads. “There may be many innocent persons in such groups, but we are in a situation where we need to suspect and question everyone for flawless surveillance on risky routes,” they said.
Inter-district goods carriers and tourist vehicles would also be subjected to stricter checks on the Kozhikode-Bengaluru route. The support of highway police would be explored for intercepting suspected vehicles. According to DANSAF sources, call detail records of some of the previously arrested carriers have helped them compile a list of suspects who are now under constant monitoring with the support of cyber cells.
According to data from the District Crime Records Bureau, 1,835 narcotic cases, including commercial, medium, and small quantity seizures, were registered within the Kozhikode city limits last year. The DANSAF and local police arrested 1,991 suspects in connection with these cases. With improved vigilance, the total quantity of MDMA seized during the period was 3,107.52gm. The call detail records of those arrested have also aided law enforcement in identifying more drug carriers and local pushers.
Published – February 09, 2025 06:52 pm IST