Karipur (Kerala): In a major drug bust, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized nearly 2 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.58 crore at Calicut International Airport, leading to the arrest of a 40-year-old man and the detention of a police officer suspected of assisting the smuggling operation.

The accused, identified as Haris, a native of Perinthalmanna, was intercepted after arriving on an Oman Air flight from Muscat. The MDMA was concealed inside chocolate packets in his baggage.

Acting on prior intelligence inputs, DRI teams from Kozhikode, Kochi and Kannur units conducted a coordinated operation at the airport. One team entered the customs hall posing as passengers to monitor arrivals, while another remained stationed outside.

Haris was placed under surveillance and subsequently taken into custody. A preliminary examination of his mobile phone reportedly revealed exchanges of messages with a police officer attached to the Karipur police station.

Following this lead, the DRI team outside the airport surrounded the police aid post and detained the officer on duty. The officer was in possession of two mobile phones, one of which he allegedly attempted to discard. The device was later recovered by the DRI team.

After questioning, the officer was released with a notice. Authorities stated that further clarity would emerge only after a detailed forensic examination of the seized mobile phones.

The DRI has long suspected that drug trafficking networks may be receiving covert assistance from within law enforcement. Similar suspicions had arisen in earlier cases, including the arrest of a woman in Ernakulam and the seizure of MDMA from a residence in Karipur. Investigations into those cases are ongoing.