Thiruvananthapuram: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) found that 22 kilogram of heroin seized from a lodge in Neyyattinkara was brought from Zimbabwe. A team of Malayalis had smuggled the heroin to Mumbai and hid it at a lodge in Neyyattinkara, evading the actual dealers. 

22 kilogram of heroin worth Rs 150 crore was seized in Neyyattinkara on September 20, 2022. The arrests of Thiruvananthapuram natives Santhosh, Ramesh and Binukuttan were recorded in connection with the case. The key conspirator Shaji Natarajan is still on the run. The investigating team suspect that he might have fled abroad after DRI seized the heroin. 

DRI received hints that a gang in Thiruvananthapuram were involved in several psychotropic drugs centered around Mumbai. After interrogating the suspects, DRI confirmed that the arrested men had worked for the international drug rackets. 

The accused brought heroin from Zimbabwe by flight and smuggled it to Neyyattinkara deceiving the dealers who were waiting for the carriers at Mumbai airport. The information leaked when they attempted to sell heroin to other drug peddlers here. 

DRI officials are puzzled over how the accused could bring heroin to Neyyattinkara avoiding a dominant international drug racket. This Malayali gang had carried heroin to India twice for the same lobby and received lakhs in return. They deceived the lobby while carrying heroin for the third time to India.