Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Kerala Excise Busts Alleged Major MDMA Network, Nine Arrested
Kerala officials say they have broken up a large group accused of selling illegal synthetic drugs.
Nine people were arrested, including two women.
The group was allegedly called the KB Cartel.
Officials say it planned to bring 5 to 20 kilograms of MDMA into Kerala every month.
The investigation started after officers found 3.5 kilograms of MDMA near a toll plaza in Kozhikode.
Officers then investigated possible connections in three other states.
The operation was kept secret so investigators could find more people linked to the network.
The arrests and allegations have been announced by the Excise Department, and the investigation is continuing.
Kerala Excise officials arrested nine people, including two women from Kozhikode, over an alleged synthetic-drug network.
Authorities said the group operated under the name “KB Cartel” and planned to smuggle 5 to 20 kg of MDMA into Kerala monthly.
The case began after 3.5 kg of MDMA was seized near the Olavanna toll plaza on NH 66 in Kozhikode.
The initial arrests involved a 20-year-old woman from Thamarassery and a man from Kondotty.
The investigation extended to Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu under Operation Thunder, part of the Mayangilla Kerala campaign.
- Who
- Kerala Excise officials arrested nine people, including two women from Kozhikode; the department identified the alleged network as the KB Cartel.
- What
- Authorities said they dismantled what the department described as Kerala’s biggest synthetic-drug racket and seized 3.5 kg of MDMA in the initial case.
- When
- The arrests were reported on August 21; the Excise Minister discussed them in a Facebook post on Thursday night.
- Where
- The initial seizure occurred near the Olavanna toll plaza on NH 66 in Kozhikode, with follow-up investigations in Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Officials alleged that the network planned to smuggle 5 to 20 kg of MDMA into Kerala every month.
- Arrests
- Nine people, including two women, were arrested.
- Drug seized
- 3.5 kg of MDMA was seized in the initial case.
- Alleged network
- The group was identified by authorities as the KB Cartel.
- Planned volume
- Authorities alleged plans to smuggle 5 to 20 kg of MDMA into Kerala monthly.
- Initial location
- The seizure took place near the Olavanna toll plaza on NH 66 in Kozhikode.
- Investigation
- The probe involved Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
- Operation
- The arrests were made under Operation Thunder, part of the Mayangilla Kerala anti-drug campaign.