Former Santosh Trophy player arrested with MDMA

A former Santosh Trophy football player who represented Kerala was arrested by the Excise department for alleged possession and distribution of MDMA here on Thursday (March 26, 2026).

The accused, Najeeb Khan, was taken into custody by the Excise Enforcement and Anti-Narcotic Special Squad with alleged possession of 4 g of MDMA from a hotel room in the city. He is reported to be serving as a Senior Superintendent at Travancore Titanium Products Limited.

According to officials, the arrest was made during a special inspection drive conducted as part of election-related surveillance. Acting on confidential information, the squad had been monitoring the accused’s activities by discreetly deploying officers at the hotel where he was reportedly operating.

He was apprehended while allegedly engaging in the sale of MDMA. Investigation revealed that he used a mobile application to identify clients and facilitate drug deliveries. The accused is suspected to be part of a larger drug distribution racket.