Kerala Police intensify probe into two Vadakara women teachers' MDMA 'racket'

Kozhikode, July 27
Kerala Police have intensified the investigation into the sensational MDMA drug racket involving two female teachers in Vadakara, with the probe now focused on uncovering a wider narcotics network and identifying other possible accomplices.

The investigation team will soon move the court seeking custody of the two arrested accused, K.C. Keerthana of Maruthonkara and Kavya of Koorachundu.

Investigators plan to interrogate both women together, hoping the joint questioning will reveal the full extent of the drug syndicate, including the identities of suppliers, delivery agents and financial beneficiaries.

Police are also examining whether more teachers were involved in the racket and are tracing those who allegedly conducted drug transactions through the accused.

The case, which has sent shockwaves through Kerala's education sector, came to light during 'Operation Toofan', a special anti-drug drive led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Investigators said the two teachers allegedly functioned as key intermediaries in a sophisticated MDMA distribution network.

According to the probe, customers transferred money to the accused through QR code payments.

Once the payment was received, the accused would send the GPS location of concealed drug packets, from where another member of the network would hand over the contraband.

Police also suspect that large sums credited to Keerthana's bank account were subsequently routed through Kavya's account to avoid raising suspicion.

The investigation gathered momentum after Vadakara police arrested Safwan and Rizwan with two grams of MDMA two weeks ago.

A forensic examination of their bank transactions allegedly revealed substantial payments to the accounts of Keerthana and Kavya.

Keerthana was first arrested, and her interrogation is said to have exposed Kavya's role in the network.

Meanwhile, disciplinary action has also gathered pace.

The General Education Department is expected to issue an order dismissing temporary teacher Kavya from service. Keerthana, a specialist physical education teacher at the Perambra Block Resource Centre under Samagra Shiksha Kerala, was dismissed on Sunday.

Investigators believe custodial interrogation will help identify those who financed the drug trade, the agents who physically delivered the narcotics, and any other members of the network, as police widen the probe into what is now suspected to be a well-organised drug distribution racket operating under the cover of legitimate employment.