Malappuram: A college teacher is among four people arrested in Kerala’s Malappuram district in connection with an alleged MDMA distribution network that reportedly supplied the synthetic drug to students and youngsters.
The arrested teacher has been identified as Suhail Peringodan, who works at MES Mampad College. The other accused are Reena TN, Vivek Vijayan and Subrahmanyan.
Police recover MDMA and cannabis
According to police, the investigation began after officers recovered 0.4 grams of MDMA and 0.5 grams of cannabis from Subrahmanyan.
During the subsequent probe, investigators traced the alleged supply chain to Suhail. Police said the quantity recovered initially was small, but the investigation indicated that the accused may have been involved in dealing with larger quantities.
Investigators are now examining the extent of the alleged network and whether it had links with students or educational institutions.
Police have alleged that Suhail was regularly supplying MDMA to Vivek and Reena, who were reportedly involved in distributing the drug further.
The investigation is also focusing on the alleged supply of MDMA to students in Nilambur and nearby areas. Police are examining the identities of possible buyers and the wider reach of the network.
Probe focuses on possible education-sector links
The involvement of a college teacher has prompted investigators to examine whether the alleged drug network had established connections within educational institutions.
Police sources said a detailed investigation could reveal whether the operation involved other individuals and whether students were being deliberately targeted. However, the allegations remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings.
The case has also drawn attention because it comes only weeks after the arrest of three women teachers in a separate MDMA case in Kozhikode district.
Three teachers arrested in Kozhikode case
In the Kozhikode case, KC Keerthana, K Kavya and VP Neeshma, who were associated with the Perambra Block Resource Centre, were arrested following an investigation by the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) and Kozhikode Rural Police under Operation Toofan.
Police had alleged that the network used digital payment methods, including QR code transactions, and concealed locations described as “dead drops” to distribute MDMA.
Investigators in that case reportedly traced transactions involving substantial sums of money. The three teachers were subsequently terminated from service.
The two cases have raised concerns over the alleged involvement of people working in the education sector in drug distribution, although the cases are separate and the circumstances surrounding them are being investigated independently.
Investigation into Malappuram network continues
In the Malappuram case, police are continuing to investigate the source of the MDMA, the alleged distribution chain and the identities of potential customers.
Investigators are also examining whether the accused had access to students through their professional or personal networks and whether other people were involved in transporting or distributing the drugs.
Police are expected to question the arrested accused further as the investigation progresses. The authorities are also likely to examine financial transactions and communication records to establish the alleged network’s scope.
The arrests have brought renewed attention to the challenge of preventing synthetic drugs such as MDMA from reaching young people and students in Kerala.