Kerala man posing as anti-drug crusader held with MDMA

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The Perumpetty police in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district have arrested the self-styled State president of a fake anti-drug organisation after recovering 1.5 grams of MDMA from his possession.

The accused has been identified as Sharfin Sebastian, a native of Ezhumattoor in Pathanamthitta. The police said he claimed to be the State president of an organisation operating under the name ‘Anti Drugs Movement of Nation’ and had projected himself as an anti-drug activist involved in awareness campaigns in the locality.

The arrest was made as part of Operation Toofan, the State-wide drive to curb the use and distribution of narcotic substances. Acting on a tip-off received by the District Police Chief, the Perumpetty police and the District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) jointly conducted a special raid, during which the accused was taken into custody.

The police said the MDMA was found concealed in a secret section inside a book. A set of accessories allegedly used for consuming narcotic substances was also seized from his possession.

A case has been registered under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The police suspect that the accused may have been using the cover of anti-drug activities to engage in illegal narcotics-related activities. Further investigation is under way to ascertain the source of the contraband and whether others are involved in the network.