Nearly two months after arresting four individuals with 100 grams of MDMA, Kasaragod Police have nabbed the suspected kingpin — a man who concealed his operations using a Thailand-based mobile number. The accused, Pallul Abid (37) from Halugunda village in Karnataka’s Kodagu district, was caught from his wife’s residence in Kushalnagar.

Once Abid sensed law enforcement closing in, he discarded his phone and SIM card, vanishing from the radar. “We apprehended him at his wife’s house,” confirmed Inspector Sunumon K, Station House Officer at Adhur, leading the probe.

Authorities believe Abid supplied MDMA to various peddlers operating across Kasaragod and Kerala. “Once his associate confirmed payment, Abid would share the drug’s location via a Thailand number,” the inspector explained. Pickup locations were often set in Bengaluru.

Back in January, police intercepted an SUV at Iriyanni, coming from Bengaluru. They arrested Mohammed Sahad (26), Shanavas P M (42), his wife Shareefa (40), and his sister Shuhaiba P M (38), seizing 100 grams of MDMA. All four remain in judicial custody, as possession above 10 grams qualifies as commercial quantity — punishable with up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Further investigation revealed Sahad, previously arrested for MDMA, had transferred ₹90,000 to Abdul Khader’s account. Khader, also arrested, confessed to facilitating illegal liquor trades in Dubai. His banking records led officers to Abid. Police used IP logs and fake social media profiles to unmask him.

Abid, who faces similar charges in Bengaluru, is identified as a critical link in Kerala’s drug distribution network.