Former Santosh Trophy Footballer Arrested in Thiruvananthapuram for MDMA Trafficking
In a significant crackdown, the Excise department on Thursday arrested former Santosh Trophy player Najeeb Khan, aged 50, from a hotel room in Bakery Junction, Thiruvananthapuram. The arrest followed the seizure of approximately 4 grams of MDMA, a synthetic drug, from his possession.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
Najeeb Khan, a native of Beemapally and a senior employee at Travancore Titanium Products Ltd, had been under surveillance for several weeks based on intelligence regarding drug trafficking activities. Excise officials revealed that Khan allegedly procured MDMA from Bengaluru and used a dating app to supply it to customers in Thiruvananthapuram. He would finalize deals online and then book hotel rooms where customers would come to collect the drugs.
According to authorities, Khan has been involved in drug use for nearly five years and had established a network targeting young people through the app. There are also allegations that he lured youngsters to hotels under the pretext of drug transactions. His mobile phone has been seized, and the initial probe has uncovered details of others involved in the network.
Ongoing Probe and Official Statement
Excise inspector Arun Ashok confirmed that further investigation is underway to dismantle the entire network and identify all individuals connected to the trafficking operation. The arrest highlights the growing concern over drug abuse and trafficking in urban areas, particularly through digital platforms.
This case underscores the vigilance of law enforcement agencies in combating drug-related crimes and protecting youth from such illicit activities. The Excise department continues to monitor and act on such inputs to ensure public safety.
