MDMA arrest in Kannur: Kerala police nab man with banned drug near Kololam
Synopsis
A 39-year-old man was arrested near Kololam Road Junction in Kannur with 1.277 grams of MDMA on 20 September, the latest in a string of synthetic drug busts across Kerala. The arrests — including a college guest lecturer allegedly supplying MDMA to students in Malappuram — point to a deepening synthetic drug problem targeting the state's youth.
Key Takeaways
Siddique V.P. (39) , a native of Kololam, Chalode , was arrested near Kololam Road Junction, Koodali , in Kannur district on 20 September 2026 .
Police recovered 1.277 grams of MDMA from his scooter during a search.
The arrest was led by SI Rahul Raghunath under the direction of Kannur City Police Commissioner B.V.
Vijaya Bharat Reddy IPS .
Earlier in September, a college guest lecturer, P.
Suhail , and four others were arrested in Malappuram for allegedly supplying MDMA and ganja to students in Nilambur .
Both cases highlight growing concern over synthetic drug distribution networks targeting youth in Kerala .
Kerala police have arrested a 39-year-old man for allegedly possessing the banned synthetic narcotic MDMA in Kannur district on Sunday, 20 September 2026, officials confirmed. The accused was apprehended near the Kololam Road Junction in the Koodali area, with 1.277 grams of MDMA recovered from his scooter during a police search.
Details of the Arrest
The arrested individual has been identified as Siddique V.P. (39), a native of Kololam in Kerala's Chalode. According to an official police statement, the operation was led by Mattannur Police Station Sub-Inspector Rahul Raghunath, acting under the direction of Kannur City Police Commissioner B.V. Vijaya Bharat Reddy IPS.
The arresting team included CPOs Vigilmon, Rijil, Shamna, and Nibin, alongside DANSAAF team members ASI Ajith, ASI Mahesh, and SCPO Sanish K.
Backdrop: MDMA Network Busted in Malappuram Earlier This Month
The Kannur arrest follows a separate drug-related crackdown earlier in September in Malappuram district, where a college guest lecturer and four others were arrested for allegedly running a drug racket supplying MDMA and ganja to students and young people in Nilambur and neighbouring areas.
Those arrested in the Malappuram case include P. Suhail, a guest lecturer at a college in Mampad, along with Reena T.N., Vivek Vijayan, and Subrahmanyan. The arrests followed a tip-off received by a Nilambur police team led by Sub-Inspector Arshid K.M.
During the initial phase of that operation, police detained Subrahmanyan and seized 0.4 grams of MDMA and 0.5 grams of ganja. He reportedly led investigators to the wider network, disclosing that he had been regularly supplying MDMA to Suhail, Vivek, and Reena. Police subsequently arrested the three others based on that information.
Concern Over Drug Spread Among Kerala's Youth
The involvement of a college lecturer in an alleged supply chain targeting students drew particular concern in the Malappuram area, according to officials. Authorities noted that Suhail allegedly collaborated with the other accused to channel synthetic drugs to students and their social circles.
Both cases reflect a broader pattern of escalating synthetic drug use among young people in Kerala, with law enforcement increasingly focused on dismantling local distribution networks and tracing their upstream suppliers. Police across multiple districts have reportedly intensified operations in recent months in response to growing community concern.
What Happens Next
Siddique V.P. is expected to be produced before a local court in Kannur as the case proceeds under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests if the recovered MDMA is traced to a broader supply chain.
Point of View
Involving a small quantity and a single accused, would ordinarily be routine — but viewed alongside the Malappuram lecturer case, it underscores how MDMA distribution in Kerala has moved beyond urban hubs into smaller towns and semi-rural areas. What is notable is the alleged role of a college educator in a supply chain targeting students, which points to a failure of institutional safeguards, not merely a law-enforcement gap. Kerala's synthetic drug problem has been building for several years; the question is whether police operations are disrupting supply chains at a meaningful scale or catching only the lowest rungs of the network.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Kannur MDMA case?
The arrested person is Siddique V.P. (39) , a native of Kololam in Kerala's Chalode. He was apprehended near Kololam Road Junction in the Koodali area of Kannur district on 20 September 2026, with 1.277 grams of MDMA recovered from his scooter.
What drug was seized and how much was recovered?
Police recovered 1.277 grams of MDMA — a banned synthetic narcotic — from the accused's scooter during a search. MDMA is a psychotropic substance regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Who led the police operation in Kannur?
The operation was led by Mattannur Police Station Sub-Inspector Rahul Raghunath , acting under the direction of Kannur City Police Commissioner B.V. Vijaya Bharat Reddy IPS . The team also included DANSAAF unit members.
What happened in the earlier Malappuram drug case?
Earlier in September 2026, a college guest lecturer named P. Suhail and four associates were arrested in Nilambur, Malappuram, for allegedly supplying MDMA and ganja to students and young people. The network was uncovered after police detained an accused named Subrahmanyan, who reportedly led investigators to the other members.
Why are synthetic drug arrests rising in Kerala?
Authorities cite a wider spread of synthetic drug distribution networks across Kerala, including in smaller towns and educational settings. Police have reportedly intensified operations across multiple districts amid growing community concern over drug use among young people.
