Competent Authority under SAFEMA freezes properties of accused in drug trafficking case

The Commissioner of the Competent Authority under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA), 1976, has confirmed a freezing order issued by the inspector of police at Vellayil Station in Kozhikode against the movable properties owned by Albin Sebastian, the prime accused in a major synthetic drug smuggling case. 

The official order upholding the police action was issued on Wednesday (December 11) after reviewing the respondent’s version. Albin Sebastian, accused of amassing property from the income he allegedly earned from synthetic drug sales, was the subject of the order. Officials involved in the investigation said that this was the first such freezing incident in Kozhikode city approved by the Chennai-based competent authority under SAFEMA.

According to the police, the seized properties primarily included a luxury motorcycle purchased with money from drug trafficking. He had registered the bike in his sister’s name. The police recovered several bank transaction records and presented them to the competent authority to support their findings.

In May 2024, Peruvannamuzhi native Albin Sebastian, 23, was arrested with a commercial quantity of smuggled MDMA, LSD stamps, and ecstasy drugs worth ₹2 crore from a rented house at Edakkad near Puthiyangadi. The team, led by inspector Baiju K. Jose, recovered 4,780 grams of MDMA, 80 LSD stamps, and a large quantity of ecstasy tablets during a surprise check. Two of his close aides, Shine Shaji and Jumi Punnapra, were also arrested following the investigation.

Police said after a four-month job hunt in Armenia, Albin joined a Bengaluru-based smuggling network. His family members were unaware of his return from abroad and his secret stay in Kozhikode for the drug business, they added.

Published - December 14, 2024 01:38 am IST