Malappuram (Kerala), Sep 18 — A college guest lecturer is among four persons arrested in connection with an alleged drug racket that was allegedly supplying MDMA and ganja to students and youngsters in Nilambur and neighbouring areas in Kerala's Malappuram district, with police now probing the wider network behind the operation.
The arrested include P. Suhail, a guest lecturer at a college in Mampad, along with Reena T.N., Vivek Vijayan, and Subrahmanyan.
The arrests were made by a Nilambur police team led by Sub-Inspector Arshid K.M. following a tip-off about the alleged drug trade.
Police initially detained Subrahmanyan and seized 0.4 grams of MDMA and 0.5 grams of ganja from him.
During questioning, he allegedly provided information about the network and told investigators that he had been regularly supplying MDMA to Suhail, Vivek, and Reena.
Acting on the information, police carried out further operations and arrested the three others.
According to police, Suhail allegedly worked with the other accused to supply synthetic drugs to students and their acquaintances.
Investigators are examining whether his position as a guest lecturer enabled him to establish contacts among students who were allegedly targeted by the network.
The police action has caused concern in the area, particularly over the alleged involvement of a person working as a lecturer in a drug distribution network targeting youngsters.
Subrahmanyan, meanwhile, was running a beauty parlour, which police suspect was being used as a hub for the alleged drug-related activities.
Investigators are examining the premises and his contacts to determine whether the parlour was used for storing, distributing or facilitating the sale of narcotic substances.
Vijayan had also been arrested earlier in connection with a drug case, according to police.
Investigators are looking into his previous case and possible links between the earlier alleged offence and the present network.
The police are now widening the investigation to establish the source of the MDMA and ganja and identify other persons allegedly involved in the supply chain.
Investigators are also examining whether the accused had links with suppliers operating outside Nilambur and whether the drugs were being brought into the region through an organised network.
The case assumes significance amid growing concern over the spread of synthetic drugs among young people in Kerala, with police intensifying action against local distribution networks and their suspected suppliers.