Police in Sultan Bathery arrested 35-year-old Aby Elias during a vehicle check near Makkutty bridge.[1] Elias is described as a resident of Pelakkudi house at Puthankunnu, Makkutty in Bathery.[1] Bathery sub-inspector Noufal C made the arrest together with Bathery police and the district anti-drug squad.[1] The operation was conducted under the supervision of Wayanad district police chief S. Deva Manohar and led by Narcotic Cell and Gender Justice DySP Manoharan Thachampath.[1]

Officers seized 1 kg 80 g of ganja, or 1.08 kg, from the accused.[1] Ganja is the Malayalam term used in the report for cannabis.[1] They also seized an electronic scale used for weighing and plastic covers kept for packing the drug for sale.[1]

Police said the ganja had been smuggled from Mysuru intended for sale.[1] The accused was intercepted at the Makkutty bridge checkpoint while the joint team was conducting vehicle checks.[1] The drug, scale and packing material were all recovered from him at that interception.[1]