Thiruvananthapuram drug bust: Doctor, BDS student among 7 arrested with MDMA and cannabis

Thiruvananthapuram: On New Year’s day, police conducted a major drug raid at Kaniyapuram in Thiruvananthapuram. Seven people, including an MBBS doctor and a BDS student, were arrested with MDMA and hybrid cannabis.

The arrested individuals are identified as Dr Vignesh Dathan (34) from Attakkulangara in Thiruvananthapuram, Haleena (27), a BDS student from Kottarakkara in Kollam, Asim (29) from Mannurkonam in Thiruvananthapuram, Avinash (29) from Ayur in Kollam, Ajith (30) from Tholicode in Thiruvananthapuram, Anziya (37) from Palode in Thiruvananthapuram and Harish (29) from Ilamad in Kollam.

The group, linked to Attingal and Nedumangad Rural Dance AF, was arrested after police raided a rented house in Kaniyapuram Thoppil area.

Dr Vignesh Dathan is an MBBS doctor, Haleena is a BDS student and Avinash works in IT. Asim, Ajith and Anziya have previously been involved in multiple drug cases. Police stated that three members of the gang had sourced drugs from Bengaluru and were distributing them to professional students and doctors.

The previous night, the gang, led by Asim, attempted to flee in a car when police tried to intercept them. They rammed the police jeep and escaped. Following information about their location in a rented house in Kaniyapuram, police conducted raid and apprehended the suspects.

Seized items include 4 grams of MDMA, 1 gram of hybrid cannabis and 100 grams of regular cannabis.

The hybrid cannabis is valued at ₹3,000 per gram. Two cars, two motorcycles and 10 mobile phones were also confiscated. The accused have been handed over to Kadinamkulam Police.