Muslim Youth League (MYL) State general secretary P.K. Firoz has alleged that Bineesh Kodiyeri, son of CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, has close ties with Anoop Mohammed of Kochi, one of the gang members taken into custody in connection with a Bengaluru-based celebrity drug racket.
At a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Firoz alleged that Anoop had started two restaurants in Bengaluru with financial assistance from Mr. Kodiyeri in 2013. Both had taken part in night parties during the COVID-19-induced lockdown period, he alleged.
‘Check call details’
Mr. Firoz said a comprehensive inquiry should be launched into the alleged links of Mr. Kodiyeri with the Bengaluru drug racket and his call list details, especially on July 10, should be examined to ascertain the facts.
It was on this day that Swapna Suresh, accused in the diplomatic baggage gold smuggling case, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Bengaluru, he said.
Last week, officials of the Narcotics Control Bureau had busted the racket that had been catering to many in the Kannada film industry. Ecstasy pills such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine nicknamed Molly and LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide, a hallucinogenic drug), were seized from a woman, Anikha, who was allegedly heading the racket from her flat at Doddagubbi.
Anoop was apprehended from a service apartment at Kalyan Nagar, east of Bengaluru.
About 145 Ecstasy tablets and ₹2.25 lakh were recovered from his flat.
He also had connections with K.T. Rameez, a Malappuram-based businessman who was arrested in connection with the gold smuggling case, Mr. Firoz alleged.
‘Lent ₹6 lakh’
Responding to the allegations, Mr. Kodiyeri told TV channels that he had maintained a good relationship with Anoop since 2013. He had lent around ₹6 lakh for starting his hotel business, he said.
He said he did not know that Anoop had links with the drug racket.
Mr. Kodiyeri also denied attending parties hosted by Anoop during the lockdown period.
