The arrest of three teachers in Kerala's widening MDMA case has stunned many, especially because one of them had led Zumba sessions under the Kerala government's anti-drug campaign. As the investigation has progressed, police have uncovered an alleged network involving social media, digital payments and delivery agents. The latest arrest is that of a delivery man from Iritty, who investigators believe played a key role in the syndicate's financial operations.

Police in Kozhikode Rural say the investigation, being carried out under the state-wide Operation Toofan, is still expanding. Officers are now examining bank transactions, digital evidence and suspected inter-state links as they try to identify everyone connected to the alleged network.

How the alleged network operated

The latest person to be detained is Jijil Kuriakose, a delivery agent from Iritty. It is alleged that nearly Rs 1 crore passed through his bank accounts over the past year. Investigators believe the money was linked to the drug trade and are tracing where the funds came from and where they were sent.

Earlier, police arrested three teachers attached to the Perambra Block Resource Centre — V.P. Neeshma, K.C. Keerthana and K. Kavya. Neeshma was taken into custody on Tuesday after questioning, while Keerthana and Kavya had been arrested earlier this month.

According to investigators, the three women allegedly found customers through social media platforms, including Instagram. Buyers were asked to pay using QR codes, after which they received digital map locations where the drugs could be collected. Police say the teachers' personal bank accounts were used to receive payments from customers, making them an important part of the alleged financial network.

Police also suspect that the teachers were regular users of MDMA in addition to allegedly selling it. The Education Department has dismissed all three as the probe continues into their suspected inter-state connections.

Why the case has attracted attention

The case has drawn particular public attention because one of the accused, K.C. Keerthana, had been involved in anti-drug awareness programmes. She had led Zumba sessions as part of the Kerala government's campaign to discourage students from using narcotic substances.

Her arrest has prompted protests outside the educational institution. Allegations have also surfaced that earlier complaints about the instructors' behaviour had not been acted upon by the authorities.

Meanwhile, investigators are tracing a luxury vehicle and other assets suspected to have been bought using money from the alleged drug trade. Police are also examining data recovered from seized mobile phones to identify more people who may be linked to the network and to understand how it operated. Officials say further arrests are expected as the investigation moves forward.