Mananthavady: The excise department has busted a drug smuggling racket that used nursing students in Bengaluru as carriers.
A team headed by Mananthavady Circle Inspector A Prajith arrested five youths and seized 204 gm of MDMA from their car during a vehicle check at Bavali checkpost near Mananthavady on Tuesday evening. It was a combined operation of Wayanad Excise Intelligence Investigation Bureau, special squad under the Mananthavady circle office and the Bavaly checkpost team.

The drug was hidden under the steering wheel of the car using insulation tape. ''We felt something odd with the gang and checked the vehicle. Though we quizzed them several times, the gangsters refused to divulge any information. Later, after a prolonged search, our team members found the hidden substance,'' said circle inspector Prajith. The gang was planning to sell the drugs to college students in Vythiri and Kalpetta and tourists.

According to officials, MDMA seizure cases involving students from Bengaluru are being reported more frequently. The agents lure them with a decent commission to act as carriers. ''The agents procure the drug from Bengaluru and hand it over to the students who get a commission that they use to splurge in the city. In addition, if they are drug users, the students will get MDMA for themselves. Gradually they become seasoned smugglers and addicts,'' he said.

Those arrested inthe latest drug bust are Kadalikkatt Veettil KM Faisal Razi, 32, a native of Chelode near Chunda, Puthukkandi Veettil Muhammed Asnul Shaduli, 23, a native of Muttil near Kalpetta, Anjiliveettil Sobin Kuriakkose, 23, a native of Puthoorvayal, Kalpetta, Vettilappara Pallathupara Veettil P A Muhammed Bava, 22, a native of Kothamangalam and Varikkunnu Delbil Shaji Joseph, 21, a native of Manimooli, Nilambur in Malappuram.

Delbin Shaji Joseph and Muhammed Bava are nursing students in Bengaluru, according to officials. Excise officials also seized the car they were travelling in.

Officers said the gang purchased MDMA for Rs 2 lakh from Bengaluru and was planning to sell it for Rs 4,000 per gm, which would have fetche them Rs 8.16 lakh. The arrested were produced at Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I at Mananthavady.

The excise team included excise preventive officers Johnny K, Jinosh PR, Anoop E, Ramachandran ATK, Ajayakumar KK, Excise officers Prince G Unnikrishnan, Sanoop K S and Driver Shimjith P.