Kochi | Police have arrested two more alleged members of an international drug trafficking syndicate involved in smuggling hybrid ganja from Thailand through the Kochi airport, officials said on Sunday.

They were arrested in connection with the recent seizure of the contraband worth Rs 18 crore at Perumbavoor near here, police said.

The arrested were identified as Faiz (38), a native of Koduvally in Kozhikode district, and Jagath (29), a resident of Eranhipalam-Vengeri in Kozhikode.

With their arrest, the total number of accused held in the case has risen to nine.

The case pertains to the seizure of 17 kg of hybrid ganja, valued at around Rs 18 crore, and the arrest of Ayush (39) and his wife Anika (30), both natives of Njarakkal in Ernakulam district.

In a statement, the Ernakulam Rural police said Faiz and Jagath were key operatives in the network responsible for receiving hybrid ganja smuggled into Kerala through the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery and distributing it to suppliers across the state.

The duo were arrested from hideouts in Kozhikode and Wayanad following a scientific investigation, police said.

Earlier, police had arrested Abu Tahir (39) of Mundur in Palakkad, Harikrishnan (25) of Thrikkadeeri in Ottapalam, Presjith (40) of Kadampazhippuram in Palakkad, Sreejesh (41) of Panamanna in Ottapalam and Sanjay P (22) of Chalavara in Ottapalam.

Tahir, the alleged kingpin, was arrested from Bengaluru.

According to police, the accused are key members of an international narcotics syndicate that smuggled hybrid ganja into Kerala through airports in Thailand.

Investigators said Tahir and Harikrishnan allegedly recruited carriers by arranging visas, air tickets and payment for their travel to Thailand.

The carriers allegedly returned to Kerala carrying hybrid ganja concealed in their baggage, which was collected by members of the syndicate outside the airport and distributed for sale, police said.

Police said they had seized mobile phones, bank transaction records, foreign travel documents, digital evidence and luxury vehicles allegedly used by the accused for drug trafficking.

The investigation is being carried out by a special team led by ASP Hardik Meena.

The arrested persons were produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody.