The Ernakulam Range Excise arrested a transwoman with 8.50 grams of synthetic drug MDMA from an apartment in Vazhakkala on Wednesday.
The arrested, identified as Deeksha, 24, of Cherthala, is a modelling artist. The Excise said the transwoman had a large clientele by way of telegram groups and used to deliver the stuff through intermediaries at predetermined points.
The accused used to keep on hopping between hotels booked in different names but never stayed in any hotel beyond one night, the Excise said. The accused was tracked down and nabbed by officials of city metro shadow unit based on a tip-off.
According to the Excise, the accused used to source the drug through her contacts in places like Goa and Bengaluru. The stuff bought for about ₹2,000 per gram was sold here for anywhere between ₹4,000 and ₹7,000, the Excise said.
Possessing synthetic drugs like MDMA in excess of half a gram is a crime punishable with 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh. Excise sources said that further probe was under way. The accused was produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody.
The team led by Ernakulam Range Excise Inspector M.S. Haneefa comprised Preventive Officer S. Suresh Kumar, City Metro Shadow Preventive Officer Ajithkumar N.G, civil excise officer N.D. Tomy, and women civil excise officers K.S. Soumya and C.G. Pramitha.
