Kerala Police: Key suspect in Perumbavoor hybrid ganja case operating from Thailand

District Police Chief (Rural) K.S. Sudarshan says evidence points to the suspect’s involvement in trafficking hybrid ganja from Thailand. He has been absconding since the 2021 Ramanattukara accident that occurred during an alleged gold heist attempt. The officer also says the organ trafficking case is yet to be transferred to the SIT.

Published - July 29, 2026 07:54 pm IST — KOCHI The Hindu Bureau

One of the key suspects in the Perumbavoor hybrid ganja case, in which 11 people have been arrested so far, is operating from Thailand, and efforts are on to nab him, District Police Chief (Ernakulam Rural) K.S. Sudarshan said in Aluva on Wednesday.

The officer said that the suspect was involved in an alleged gold heist attempt which led to a road accident killing five people in 2021 at Ramanattukara in Kozhikode.

“He is a native of Thamarassery in Kozhikode and has been absconding since the Ramanattukara incident. We have gathered evidence pointing to his involvement in trafficking hybrid ganja from Thailand. Steps have been taken to arrest him,” Mr. Sudarshan said during a media briefing.

Background: Ramanattukara Accident

The Ramanattukara case pertains to an accident in which a speeding SUV carrying a five-member gang from Cherpulassery collided with a cement-laden lorry, killing all five occupants of the car on the spot on June 21, 2021. Police investigation revealed that the victims and a larger criminal network were en route to allegedly intercept and loot smuggled gold from another group coming out of the Calicut International Airport.

Hybrid Ganja Network Busted

The hybrid ganja network was busted by the police following the seizure of around 18 kg of suspected hybrid cannabis from a Vypeen-based couple on June 24 during a raid in Perumbavoor.

Girl Missing Case

The officer said a 12-year-old girl who was traced to Pune after being reported missing from her house at Karumaloor was being brought to Kochi along with a youth who had been taken into custody for allegedly kidnapping the minor.

“As soon as the missing case was reported, we launched a prompt investigation which led to tracing the girl from the Pune railway station. The police will take a detailed statement of the girl only once she recovers from the trauma,” he said.

Organ Trafficking

On the organ trafficking case into which a detailed investigation has been ordered by the government, Mr. Sudarshan said the case was still with the Crime Branch, and that the process to transfer it to the special investigation team (SIT) headed by him were under way. He said members of the SIT were yet to be decided.