In a crackdown on the regional drug trade, the Pathanapuram Excise range team arrested a person with 208.52 grams of hashish oil on Saturday. The arrest was the result of a coordinated sting operation carried out as part of ‘Operation Red Zone’ in the Pathirikkal-Thevalakkara area.
The prime accused has been identified as Umesh Krishna (38), son of Rameshkumar, residing at Usha Bhavanam, Enadimangalam, Adoor. According to Excise officials, Umesh is a habitual offender and a listed accused under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA). He had been under the close surveillance of the intelligence wing due to his prior involvement in multiple cannabis cases.
The raid, acting on a confidential tip-off, was led by Pathanapuram Excise Inspector Shijina S. While the first accused was apprehended at the scene with the contraband, the second accused, identified as Vineeth, son of Joseph Binoy from Ezhamkulam, managed to evade capture and fled the spot. Both individuals have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The joint operation was conducted by the Pathanapuram excise range and the Kollam Excise Intelligence wing. The enforcement team included Assistant Excise Inspectors Sunil Kumar V., Anil Y., and Santhosh Varghese, along with Civil Excise Officers Gopan Murali, Roby C.M., Arun Babu, Kiran Kumar, and Vineesh Vishwanath.
Published – January 17, 2026 07:04 pm IST
