Kerala Police detained two residents of Perumbavoor, P.A. Abdul Salam and K.H. Muhammed Hussein, on August 9 during a check on the Kasaragod–Kalikadavu National Highway. Authorities seized 130 grams of MDMA from them. A third person, P.A. Abbas, was also taken into custody in the same operation. The drugs had been moved from Ernakulam to local contacts in Kasaragod and were recovered by the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force along with Chenthara Police. Janam Malayalam TV channel later broadcast images and information indicating close connections between Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan and the two men. The footage reportedly shows the chief minister with the suspects, who are described as frequent visitors to his residence in North Parur. The channel states the men were on first-name terms with the chief minister and shared images of his visit to one of their homes. It further claims one suspect listed himself as social media coordinator for Satheeshan on Instagram and managed related official accounts. Both individuals are said to have held positions in the Indian Youth Congress and maintained contacts with several Congress and UDF figures. Additional images reportedly show another minister walking with the pair inside the assembly complex. Other leaders mentioned include Manoj Moothedan, Eldos Kunnappilly and Mohammed Shiaz. The suspects are reported to travel abroad frequently, and police view them as possible links in a wider trafficking chain. Congress representatives responded that the men no longer hold any party posts. The case has surfaced amid other recent MDMA incidents in the state involving political workers.
