Man held with MDMA in Edappally

Kochi: City police arrested a 26-year-old man for possessing 5.11g of MDMA from Edappally near VP Marakkar Road within Kalamassery police station limits.The arrested was identified as Don P J of East Kadungalloor, Aluva. The operation was carried out by Kochi City Dansaf team under the leadership of narcotic cell assistant commissioner T D Sunilkumar, following directions from commissioner K Mahesh Kumar, IPS. Police said the arrest is part of intensified action against drug trafficking in the city. Man detained: A 22-year-old man was detained under Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PIT NDPS Act) and was lodged in Poojappura Central Jail. The detainee, identified as Pranav of Unichira, Thrikkakara, in Ernakulam, is an accused in multiple narcotics cases and was arrested on Thursday. He faces charges registered at Kalamassery, Elamakkara, Eloor, Thrikkakara and Cheranalloor police stations within Kochi city limits. The detention was carried out as part of stringent action taken against repeat offenders involved in drug-related crimes, and the proceedings were completed by city police. Incidentally, rural district police and excise department have also intensified inspections to curb the use and trafficking of narcotic substances. Special squads have been formed to carry out checks across all areas. The raids are being conducted in connection with the upcoming assembly elections, following directions from state police chief. The inspections are being carried out jointly by police, excise officials and rural district Dansaf team.