The District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force, DANSAF, and the Kunnamangalam police arrested two men for allegedly transporting suspected ganja for sale near Padanilam bridge in Kunnamangalam.[1][2] Police identified the two as 32-year-old Safdar Hashmi of Pannikkottoor and 35-year-old Anwar alias Ambu of Avilora in Kizhakkoth.[1][2] The joint operation was led by Narcotic Cell Assistant Commissioner of Police Jeevan George and Kunnamangalam Sub-Inspector V.K. Elias.[1]

The DANSAF team intercepted the suspects’ vehicle near Padanilam bridge in the early hours of Friday, November 13, and alerted the Kunnamangalam police.[1][2] During the inspection, officers recovered 4.11 kg of suspected ganja packed in five bundles from the boot of the car.[1][2] Police said the seized contraband was meant for retail distribution in areas including Elettil Vattoli, Estate Mukku and Poonoor.[1]

Police sources said both accused were out on bail in previous narcotics cases and had been under close DANSAF surveillance for the past few days.[1] Investigators described both men as habitual offenders with multiple narcotics cases pending against them.[1] Both were previously arrested by the Nilambur Excise team for allegedly possessing 58 kg of suspected ganja and were out on bail in that case.[1] Safdar Hashmi was also accused in a Chevayur police case over 105 grams of suspected MDMA, while Anwar had earlier been booked by the Palakkad Excise wing in connection with a 116 kg suspected ganja seizure.[1]