Thiruvananthapuram: Three individuals from Tamil Nadu were arrested for smuggling drugs disguised as candies. The incident took place in Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram. The accused have been identified as Prashant, Ganesh, and Mark.

According to the police, a parcel containing 105 drug-laced candies was sent to the address of a private boys’ hostel in Vattappara. The suspects were caught red-handed by the DANSAF (District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force) team when they arrived to collect the package.

Further investigation confirmed that the candies contained Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a potent psychoactive compound extracted from cannabis. This indicates a new smuggling method aimed at avoiding suspicion.

With increasing cases of drug trafficking across the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, authorities have tightened surveillance. The accused have been remanded in custody, and further investigations are underway.

Thiruvananthapuram: ADGP MR Ajith Kumar has been given a clean chit in the illegal property acquisition case. The Vigilance Director has submitted the final report to the government. It has been found that Ajith Kumar did not commit corruption in the construction of houses, purchase of flats and gold smuggling.

However, if the government accepts the report, it will be a step towards promotion for Ajith Kumar. The Vigilance investigation against Ajith Kumar was initiated on the corruption allegations made by P.V. Anwar.

The Vigilance has found that the construction of the house was informed to the government. It has been found that Ajith Kumar was not involved in the felling of trees at the Malappuram camp office.

The Vigilance has found that the allegation that the flat was bought and sold at double the price within 10 days was false.

Thiruvananthapuram: Action has been taken against DySP MI Shaji, who leaked information to former MLA PV Anwar. Shaji has been suspended from police service.

The stern action follows the discovery that he leaked information, including information related to the investigation into the burning of Sandipanandagiri’s ashram. The intelligence report found that there was a serious lapse on Shaji’s part.

The Finance Department has issued an order to increase the dearness allowance of government employees. The dearness allowance has been increased by three percent. With this, the dearness allowance of employees has increased from 12 to 15 percent. Pensioners have also been granted three percent dearness relief.

UGC salary recipients have been given a 4 percent increase. With this, DA will increase from 34 percent to 38 percent. The increased DA will start being received from April.

Kalpetta: BJP state president K. Surendran has been granted bail in the Sultan Bathery assembly election bribery case. The Sultan Bathery Judicial First Class Magistrate Court granted bail.

The case was that a bribe of Rs 35 lakh was paid to C.K. Janu to contest as an NDA candidate from the Sultan Bathery constituency in the 2021 assembly elections.

K Surendran was the first accused in the case. BJP Wayanad district president and third accused in the case, Prashanth Malavayil, has also been granted bail.

The second accused, C.K. Janu, had earlier obtained bail. The complaint was filed by SFI state president P.K. Nawas.

Kottayam: ED raids SDPI workers’ houses in Kottayam and Palakkad districts. ED raids are currently underway at the house of Nishad, a native of Vazhoor in Kottayam, and the house of Panamann native in Ottapalam.

Nishad was a former division secretary of PFI. It is reported that the search is related to financial transactions. The ED raid began at 10 am.