Kerala Home Minister Shocked by Arrest of Teachers in Drug Case

Arrests of Teachers Linked to Drug Trafficking

Thiruvananthapuram, July 29 - Kerala's Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala expressed his astonishment on Wednesday regarding the arrest of three female teachers involved in drug use and trafficking. The educators, Kirtana, Kavya, and Neeshma, were apprehended for allegedly being part of an MDMA (a type of narcotic) smuggling ring operating from the Perambra Block Resource Center (BRC) under the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) initiative.

Chennithala remarked that it is "shocking" to see educators becoming carriers and sellers of narcotics, with the profits from these illegal activities being distributed through them.

He stated, "This is completely astonishing." Following the teachers' arrests, it was revealed that several others in Vadakara were also involved in drug-related activities, and they would be apprehended soon. He mentioned in an interview with a TV channel, "We are also working to trace the sources of drug supply."

Based on information gathered during the interrogation of Kirtana and Kavya, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested Neeshma. The Vadakara rural police chief formed the SIT after indications of further involvement by others emerged during the investigation.

The alleged involvement of these three teachers came to light after the arrest of an individual from whom MDMA was seized. During the investigation, police discovered that the suspect was sending messages to a phone number from a Gulf country, after which he received a QR code for payment. According to police, once the payment was confirmed, the supplier would send the buyer a photo of the location where the narcotics were hidden.

Investigators found that the QR code was linked to Kirtana's bank account. Following her arrest, she reportedly disclosed Kavya's involvement in the case as well. Chennithala also mentioned that a new initiative called 'Project Jar-Vigilance Whistle' is being launched to combat corruption, following the approval of the government's anti-drug campaign 'Operation Storm.'