Ganja peddlers suspected of throwing drug bags from trains to dodge checks; 1 held in Kerala

Kochi: Police have arrested a 47-year-old migrant worker with eight kilograms of cannabis (ganja) near the railway tracks at Karukutty in Kerala's Ernakulam district.

The arrested man has been identified as Sona Molla, a native of Murshidabad in West Bengal. A joint team led by the Ernakulam Rural district police chief and Angamaly police carried out the arrest.

Molla had reportedly been under police surveillance for the past few days as part of an investigation into the suspected transportation of cannabis by train.

Police suspect that a gang involved in transporting the drug by train had been throwing bags containing cannabis to Molla near the railway tracks. The suspected method was allegedly adopted after checks were intensified at Angamaly and Aluva railway stations.

Molla had reportedly rented a room close to the railway tracks, which police suspect was being used in connection with the operation.

Cannabis allegedly brought from Odisha

According to police, Molla sold cannabis brought from Odisha for around ₹30,000 per kilogram.

Following his arrest, the investigation has been widened to identify those allegedly supplying the cannabis to Molla and those who purchased the drug from him.

Police are also investigating the suspected network through which the cannabis was transported and distributed.

Molla had previously been arrested by the Perumbavoor Excise Department in 2022. He was allegedly caught with 52 grams of heroin in that case.

The latest investigation will look into whether there are links between the previous case and the suspected cannabis network.

The investigation team included the Perumbavoor ASP, Aluva Deputy Superintendent of Police, Narcotics Cell DySP, SI, ASIs and senior civil police officers.

The arrested man is being questioned as the investigation continues into the alleged supply and distribution network.