Reports from Alappuzha city and its suburbs suggest that a section of CPM workers and its youth wing are linked to the drug mafia operating in the area. Vighnesh J, a CPM branch secretary, has been arrested by the police with MDMA, one of the most dangerous synthetic drugs, in his possession. He is the Alappuzha Municipal Stadium East Branch Secretary of the CPM and a former SFI area committee member.
As per reports, when he was arrested from Alappuzha EMS Stadium on March 2, he was found carrying 0.24 grams of MDMA and two syringes. Police informed that Vighnesh was both a seller and a consumer of MDMA. This information was obtained from carriers arrested in Haripad, Alappuzha district, with MDMA in their possession, leading to Vighnesh’s arrest. He is also a former Students’ Union Councillor (SFI) of Kerala University.
Reports have been circulating that a section of the CPM and DYFI has been operating as part of the drug mafia network. In the past, police and excise officials have arrested CPM and DYFI workers for trafficking and selling banned drugs. A CPM leader, who is an Alappuzha Municipal Councillor and an area committee member of the party, continues to be active in the party despite being expelled for providing his vehicle for drug trafficking. Now, with the recovery of these fatal drugs from the former SFI leader, there are growing demands to bring all his SFI associates under investigation.
Several complaints have surfaced in the past that the EMS Stadium is a hub for drug mafia gangs. A couple of days ago, CPM state secretary M.V. Govindan stated that party members would not consume alcohol. Close on the heels of that statement, a branch secretary was arrested for drug trafficking.
However, the police have been concealing the matter. Otherwise, they issue press releases even for petty cases.
In recent months, media reports have painted a worrying picture. Drug-related cases are rising at an alarming rate in the state. Most of the accused are youths below the age of 30, with a shocking number of them being schoolchildren in their early teens. The highest number of cases have been reported from Kochi, the business capital of the state. Students who expose drug trafficking among their schoolmates are being attacked. One schoolboy was killed last week in Kozhikode.
A drug racket was busted in #Kochi & drugs worth Rs. 1 crore has been seized by the Police. The arrested #drug peddlers are Muhammad Ajmal, Faisal, Muhammad Fabaz, Muhammad Afsal, Taiba, shaman and Sreemon. #Kerala https://t.co/snCEvQixTv
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) August 19, 2021
Drug Menace in Kerala: Consumption of drugs spreading fast, even policemen’s families affected, says Kochi senior cop
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) May 26, 2023
It is believed that this drug anarchy is impossible without political patronage, and those in power are responsible for answering to this growing menace.
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