One more teacher arrested in connection with MDMA bust case

With the special investigation team of the Kozhikode Rural police at Vadakara expanding its probe into a synthetic drug distribution racket, a third female teacher was arrested on Tuesday (July 28) in connection with the MDMA bust case.​V.P. Neeshma, 30, a specialist teacher at the Perambra Block Resource Centre (BRC) and resident of Valiyaparambil, was taken into custody after being summoned for interrogation. Her arrest follows the earlier detentions of two of her close associates, K.C. Keerthana, a specialist sports instructor at Perambra BRC and native of Maruthonkara, and K. Kavya, a teacher at the Autism Centre attached to Cheruvallur School and resident of Cherukkattu, Koorachundu.​According to the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) and the police, the suspects acted as key intermediaries for synthetic drug dealers. They sourced clients via social media platforms, predominantly Instagram, and facilitated transactions.​Police sources said the breakthrough that implicated Neeshma came after financial audits revealed large sums allegedly representing proceeds from drug sales had been transferred directly into her bank account, mirroring financial patterns previously found in the accounts of Keerthana and Kavya.Police investigations indicate that the three teachers, who maintained a close personal friendship, were actively consuming MDMA themselves. Evidence suggests they have ties to larger inter-State drug trafficking networks operating in north Kerala.Before her arrest, Keerthana had been actively involved in official anti-narcotics awareness drives organised by the district, including leading Zumba fitness workshops as part of anti-drug youth initiatives.​Following directions from the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) State Project Directorate, the Education department terminated both Keerthana and Kavya from service. Formal dismissal procedures for Neeshma are under way.​The involvement of educators in a commercial drug ring has sparked intense public outrage, leading to local protests outside the Perambra BRC demanding thorough scrutiny of educational institutions in the area.​The special investigation team (SIT), led by Vadakara Inspector A.V. Dinesh under ‘Operation Toofan’, an ongoing anti-narcotics drive in the State, has indicated that further arrests are likely as they track additional links in the network.Mr. Dinesh told the media that the suspects are believed to have direct links to a wider drug syndicate. “The probe has been expanded to scrutinise their financial sources and bank account transactions, he added.Kozhikode Rural District Police Chief Merin Joseph had formed the SIT to conduct a comprehensive probe into the case. “More people will be in custody soon in the coming days,“ Mr. Dinesh said.Meanwhile, some student organisation activists from Perambra, who said they had given statements to the police, alleged that complaints had previously been lodged against one of the arrested special instructors for smoking during training sessions, but no action was taken. They also claimed that the arrested instructors had participated in several anti-drug awareness campaigns. Published - July 28, 2026 07:00 pm IST