Kochi | Three persons were arrested with 305 grams of MDMA in two separate cases here as part of the anti-drugs drive "Operation Toofan", police said on Friday.

Two persons, identified as Afsal (23), a native of Cherthala, and Jasna Susan Jooby (20), a native of Chengannur in Alappuzha district, were arrested with 198 grams of MDMA from a lodge near Kalappurakkal Road under the Ernakulam Central police station limits, police said.

Following a tip-off, police raided the lodge and seized the MDMA, which was found packed in several packets, on Thursday night, officials said.

Officials suspect that the duo were staying in Kochi as part of drug peddling activities.

In the second case, police arrested Vishnu B Pai (34), a native of Kochi, with 107 grams of MDMA near the Ernakulam South railway station, they said.

Following a tip-off, the accused was intercepted by a police team and MDMA was found in his possession during a search on Thursday, officials said.

Kochi City Police have launched an investigation into the source of the contraband and whether the accused had arrived in the city to distribute the large quantity of MDMA, police said.

The arrested persons will be produced before a court on Friday as part of the remand procedure, officials added.