Kochi: Two youths were arrested by the Cochin Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) after allegedly recovering 1.5 kg of Methamphetamine from their possession on Friday. The arrested persons were identified as AA Asif and Nithin Viswam, both aged 27 and hailing from Karumalloor near Aluva.

They were arrested during a raid at a rented house under the Edathala Police station limits near Aluva. The synthetic drug, commonly referred to on the street as meth, was seized during a coordinated operation following sustained NCB surveillance for a few weeks.

According to the NCB, the duo had reportedly procured the contraband from suppliers based in Delhi, indicating the involvement of an interstate network.

It is learnt that Nithin had previously been arrested by the Kerala Police in another Methamphetamine-related case. He is reportedly an accused in a murder case, too. His criminal background had placed him on the radar of NCB, prompting more intensive monitoring.

The NCB  had been tracking the duo for several weeks. They had narrowly missed intercepting Nithin during a suspected drug-sourcing trip to Delhi last month.

According to the NCB, their arrest is a significant breakthrough in identifying the pipeline through which Methamphetamine is being routed into Kochi and its suburbs.

With the seizure now confirmed, the NCB is focusing on tracing the distribution chain that supplied the drug and identifying local peddlers linked to the duo. Agency sources said more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.