Two migrant workers held with 19kg of ganja

Kochi: Two migrant workers were arrested with 19kg of ganja from Pattimattom-Choorakode area near Perumbavoor in a joint operation conducted by police. The accused were identified as Rafiqul Molla, 22, and Mustafa Mondal, 30, of Murshidabad in West Bengal.The arrest was carried out by a special investigation team led by Perumbavoor ASP along with Kunnathunadu police, following a tip-off received by district police chief K S Sudarshan. Police said the accused were involved in supplying ganja in the area after sourcing it from Odisha. According to the investigation team, the contraband was purchased at the rate of Rs 5,000/kg and later sold locally for Rs 25,000/kg. The ganja was packed in 1kg and 2kg packets for distribution to customers. Police also found that the accused concealed the narcotic substance in a specially constructed hidden compartment inside a room to avoid detection during inspections. Police said Molla is a repeat offender and was previously arrested last year at Nedumbassery with 24kg of ganja. The accused were produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody.