Nedumbassery police arrested Ragesh, also known as Jumanchi, the main accused in a drug case, a 32-year-old from Painkulam in Thalappilly, Thrissur, from Kullu in Himachal Pradesh.[1] He had been absconding for two years.[2] He had allegedly provided financial assistance to buy the narcotics, fled to Kullu on learning of the earlier arrests, and had been working as a tourist guide there.[2] Police said he had been staying at a resort 20 kilometres above the base camp in Kullu.[1]

On 27 June 2024, police seized 316 grams of MDMA, two LSD stamps and 420 grams of cannabis from a car at Athani that was carrying the drugs from Bengaluru.[1] Police described the MDMA and the ganja from that car seizure as suspected.[2] Azad, 38, of Chalakkal, Aluva, and Harikrishnan, 28, of Tirurangadi, Malappuram, had been arrested earlier.[1] The car was taken into custody.[1]

An investigation team led by Ernakulam Rural district police chief K.S. Sudarshan tracked him down.[2] The team stayed for several days disguised as tourists before taking him into custody.[1] With Sudarshan were deputy superintendent Baiju Paulose, circle inspector B.K. Arun, sub-inspectors Arun Raj and Rony Augustine, assistant sub-inspector M.V. Binu and civil police officer Sajaz.[1] Ragesh was produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.[2]