The Kerala Excise department seized 125 grams of MDMA hidden inside the stereo system of a car carrying four adults and an eight-year-old child in Thiruvananthapuram late Tuesday night.
Officials said the bust, under Operation Thunder, points to the increasing use of women and families as a cover for drug trafficking
Four Arrested After MDMA Discovery in Car Stereo System
Four individuals were arrested in connection with a drug bust that uncovered 125 grams of MDMA hidden in a car’s stereo system. The suspects, identified as Kiran, 35, Akshay, 27, Beena, 55, and Sandhya, 18, were apprehended following a search operation. Despite having detailed information about the drug consignment, officers initially struggled to locate the substances. After nearly 30 minutes of searching, they ultimately discovered the concealed drugs within the vehicle’s audio equipment.
Because officers had received specific intelligence about the vehicle and the consignment, the Balaramapuram interception, they said, was possible.
Officials said the presence of women and children could make a vehicle appear to be carrying a family on an ordinary journey, reducing the chances of suspicion during routine checks.
The child, Kiran’s daughter from his first wife, was handed over to relatives. Beena is Kiran’s mother, while Sandhya, 18, is his girlfriend, according to Excise officials.
Officials said their preliminary investigation indicated that both women were aware of the drug trafficking operation and had an active role in it. Excise officials said the investigation could lead them to larger traffickers operating in the capital district.
