After arrest of 3 Kerala teachers, SIT expands probe to track drug rackets’ financial intermediaries

Published 29 July 2026 · india

Following the arrest of three teachers in Kerala in an expanding synthetic drug bust, the newly-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kozhikode Rural police

Following the arrest of three teachers in Kerala in an expanding synthetic drug bust, the newly-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kozhikode Rural police is in search of a number of recently identified financial intermediaries, including women and students. Police sources confirm that a multi-State drug racket operates behind the young intermediaries’ network, who reportedly facilitated the secret transfer of huge sums using nicknames. “Most of the newly identified intermediaries who came in contact with the large-scale drug pushers were found addicted to synthetic drugs. They found the role of intermediaries as a safe and passive source of income to lead an extravagant life and attract more youngsters as carriers,” said a police officer with the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force in Kozhikode district.

He said the special investigation teams earlier constituted within various police station limits in Kerala would work together to ensure a strong crackdown in the area and zero in on all connected rackets. Following the tip-off from local informants and volunteers, the SIT has also started gathering the details of a number of rural teachers and students who reportedly operated as close aides of the previously arrested special educators from Perambra Block Resource Centre. K.C. Keerthana, K. Kavya and V.P. Neeshma were the three instructors who were recently arrested for their alleged role in functioning as financial intermediaries for the inter-State drug traffickers. Jijin Kuriakose, an online delivery boy from Iritty who was accused of colluding with rural drug traffickers, was also arrested on Tuesday as part of the widening probe into the network.

Police sources said three more suspected intermediaries would be interrogated soon based on the digital evidence and the statements of the three arrested teachers. Surveillance up Surveillance measures have also been stepped up at airports and district borders to prevent the possible attempts of suspects to escape, they said. “We learn that some non-resident Keralites (NRKs) earlier connected with drug-trafficking cases are suspected of coordinating the local trade in rural areas of Kozhikode district. Probe is in full swing to locate them with the support of the Narcotics Control Bureau,” said an Assistant Commissioner of Police attached to the State Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force. He said the close aides of such suspects abroad, who allegedly used social media platforms for their clandestine operations, were under the scanner after investigators tracked their call detail records and bank transactions.