176 grams of suspected MDMA seized in major drug bust

The Kochi City police on Wednesday arrested a man with 176 grams of suspected MDMA, in what could be the largest seizure of synthetic drug from the city this year yet.

Sajith Venu, 36, was arrested from his residence on MLA Road, Panangad, by the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF). The police also seized ₹1.02 lakh from him, suspected to have gained from drug sales.

The police said Sajith was suspected of being a key drug peddler among youths in the city. “He had been under police surveillance for a while,” T.D. Sunilkumar, Assistant Commissioner (Narcotics Cell), said.

The arrest comes two days after three youths were held by DANSAF with 37.65 grams of suspected MDMA. Alan David, 25, of Mulavukad, Faseer Nasar, 26, of Kangarappady, and Nafila, 31, of Thiruvarppu, Kottayam, were arrested from near the Palarivattom flyover, the police said.