Kozhikode drug probe traces ₹10 crore through mule accounts of deceased persons

Investigators examining a drug trafficking network linked to a recent MDMA seizure in Kozhikode have traced transactions worth roughly ₹10 crore over six months through bank accounts that belonged to deceased persons.

Police describe these as "mule accounts", obtained by promising financial returns and then used by members of the alleged network to receive and transfer money. The arrangement, officers say, makes it difficult to identify the actual beneficiaries of the funds.

The finding has added a financial trail to the investigation, which began after 1 kg of MDMA was seized at Pantheerankavu. The case was registered in May 2026. Officers are continuing to scrutinise other bank transactions from the past six months to map the flow of money and identify more members of the network.

The probe has already led to two more arrests. C. Ajmal, a native of Nilambur in Malappuram, and P. Surya, a native of Malayinkeezhu in Thiruvananthapuram, were taken into custody from a rented apartment in Noida on September 12. A police team from Kozhikode raided the apartment, recovering several packets and machines allegedly used for packing drugs. The two were brought to Kozhikode on September 13 and remanded by the Vadakara Special Court.

According to police sources, Ajmal worked as a major supplier, procuring MDMA and methamphetamine in bulk from Delhi and arranging transport to Keralam through hired carriers and drug peddlers. Surya, a nursing student in Bengaluru, and his friend were allegedly staying with Ajmal in the Noida apartment.

Four other drug pushers were arrested earlier in connection with the Pantheerankavu case. Investigation found that the drugs seized from that group had been supplied by Ajmal from Delhi. His alleged involvement in the recent seizure of over 12 kg of MDMA in Malappuram has also come to light, a senior officer with the special squad said.

Investigators are examining possible links between these cases and a few other incidents involving commercial quantities of drugs. The accused reportedly told investigators that the drugs were sourced from Nigerian nationals.

Cyber Shield, a platform run by the police and bank officials to flag suspicious transactions involving mule accounts, is active in Kozhikode city. Several bank accounts across the State are now under the scanner, police sources said.