Malappuram (Kerala) | Police on Friday arrested a man and seized around 780 grams of synthetic drug MDMA, valued at about Rs 25 lakh, from his possession at Kondotty here, officials said.

The accused was identified as Ratheesh V (38), a native of Olavattur in Aroor near Kondotty here, police said.

According to police, the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) intercepted Ratheesh while he was travelling on a scooter at Aroor around 1.30 am.

During the search, police recovered two packets containing 391.37 grams and 389.22 grams of MDMA, taking the total seizure to about 780 grams.

Police said the seized contraband is estimated to be worth around Rs 25 lakh in the illegal market.

A case has been registered by Kondotty police under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Ratheesh was arrested.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Ratheesh had allegedly been involved in drug trafficking for the past several years. He is suspected of procuring MDMA in bulk from other states and selling it in smaller quantities at higher prices in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts, police said.

A detailed probe has been launched to trace the source of the drugs and identify others involved in the racket, officials said.

The accused will be produced before a court soon.