A co-accused in a large MDMA seizure case in Kerala has been arrested at the Karipur airport while allegedly attempting to leave for the Gulf. The Manjeswaram police recently took into custody Shamsudheen (34) of Vellakkot, Thrissur, who had been wanted for over a year.
The arrest pertains to a major narcotics haul a year ago at the house of one Askar Ali at Uppala, Kasaragod, where 3.5 kg of alleged MDMA, along with cannabis, cocaine and pyschotropic pills, were recovered.
Askar Ali, the prime accused, was arrested the same day and the investigation expanded based on his statements. The police said Shamsudheen was the financier. He was trying to leave the country along with his family recently after realising that he was about to be caught.
The probe had begun after a young man was apprehended with drugs at Melparamba. During questioning, he revealed that the cannabis was sourced from Uppala, prompting a wider investigation.
A police team led by DySP V.V. Manoj and SHO Santhosh Kumar later raided Askar Ali’s residence, seizing the large consignment. The case was subsequently transferred to the Majeswaram police.
Investigators recently received intelligence that Shamsudheen was preparing to travel abroad. Acting on the tip-off, a police team detained him at the airport and produced him before the court, which has remanded him for 14 days.
Askar Ali is out on bail after securing release on a ₹40-lakh bond within months of his arrest.
Published – December 01, 2025 03:45 pm IST
