Suspected kingpin of drug network held in Malappuram

A special police team arrested Ibrahim Badusha, 29, alleged kingpin of a drug trafficking network operating across Keralam and other States, from a hideout at Kolathur in Malappuram district on Monday (October 26).

A native of Kadambode, Panthalloor, Mr. Badusha is suspected of playing a key role in the network linked to the seizure of 12.8 kg of MDMA from Coimbatore. The police had arrested three men with the drugs, valued at more than ₹10 crore in the retail market, concealed in the door panels of a car, in August this year.

The seizure followed an investigation into a drug-sales network exposed after six people were arrested with 100 gm of suspected MDMA from a private apartment in Manjeri. Interrogation of the accused led investigators to Mr. Badusha and other members of the network.

Police said the gang sourced and stored large quantities of MDMA in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru before transporting them for distribution in Keralam and Tamil Nadu.

Luxury cars fitted with concealed compartments were allegedly used to move the drugs to transit points, including Coimbatore, Palani and Kodaikanal, before smaller consignments were delivered to different locations.

Investigators identified Mr. Badusha as a key intermediary for the network in Malappuram. Police said that more than 200 kg of MDMA had been smuggled into Keralam under his leadership over the past six months.

Another alleged kingpin, Akhil Joy, a native of Wayanad and a close associate of Mr. Badusha, was arrested from Bihar about a month ago. Mr. Badusha is also an accused in cases involving murder, drug trafficking and theft in Wayanad and Malappuram districts, police said.

After the investigation began, Mr. Badusha allegedly went into hiding in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Odisha and Chennai. Bengaluru Police were also looking for him after he reportedly abandoned a car in Electronic City following a collision involving around 10 vehicles.

The special investigation team (SIT), including officers from the Malappuram and Perinthalmanna police sub-divisions, the Narcotics Cell and the District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF), carried out the arrest.

Police said the investigation was continuing to trace the source of the drugs and identify other members of the network.