more-in The seizure of 5.2 kg of Kuwait-bound MDMA (methylene dioxy methamphetamine) consignment from Nedumbassery the other day, regarded as one of the biggest drug hauls in the country, has unearthed the first ever syndicate trafficking synthetic drugs to the Middle East. The rackets smuggling drugs other than heroine or ganja to the Gulf has also sprung a surprise among anti-narcotic agencies, which are now seeking a detailed probe into this aspect. As part of it, the Intelligence Bureau, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Special Branch of the Kerala Police have launched independent investigations into the case. According to officials, the NCB will be meeting Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh on Monday and carry out a detailed examination of the seized contraband. “We have dealt with rackets smuggling heroine to Kuwait or ganja to Doha. The only synthetic drug that is known to be trafficked from the airports here is ephedrine, but that too to the East Asian countries. The latest case, prima facie, appears to be first of its kind to be reported anywhere in the country,” said a top official. Preliminary investigations by the Excise Department suggested that one of the accused in the case, Faizal, had carried out similar operations at least ten times before his arrest on Saturday. The Excise Department, on the other hand, is seeking to handover the probe to a national agency considering the international ramifications of the case. For instance, the seized consignment was originated from Russia and reached the country via Kabul, Afghanistan. Similarly, tracking down the kingpin of the racket, identified as Bhai, a native of Ernakulam who is currently settled in Kuwait, again warrants intervention from a national-level agency, officials pointed out. “The contraband was trafficked to Delhi from Kabul via Kashmir, possibly using some terrorist groups. From Delhi, it was brought to Palakkad through the rail route. Here, it was concealed in secret chambers inside two trolley bags by a three-member team from Tamil Nadu,” said K.A. Nelson, Divisional Deputy Excise Commissioner, Ernakulam. The Excise Department has identified a couple of other members in the racket who introduced Faizal to Bhai, the racket’s kingpin. Meanwhile, the Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate on Sunday remanded Abdul Salam and Faisal, the two accused in the case, in judicial custody. The Excise Department will approach the court seeking their custody on February 21.

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