A special investigation team (SIT) has been constituted by the Excise department to probe cases related to the seizure of 281 grams of suspected MDMA from here a week ago.

Ernakulam Assistant Excise Commissioner (Enforcement) Joby A.T. will head the 10-member team.

Excise sources said the investigators would seek the custody of the four youths arrested in the two related cases next week. Investigators are verifying phone call details and money transactions by the accused, an official said.

The four accused — Varun Dev, 35, of Nedumbram, Thiruvalla; Vipin S. Kumar, 30, of Muthoor, Thiruvalla; Sidhique Kanjirapparambil, 27, of North Paravur, and Finala Maria D’Rozario, 18, of Pachalam — have been remanded since their arrest in the third week of August.

Published – September 03, 2026 01:53 am IST