Kochi, May 19 (PTI) The Kerala Police, with the assistance of its Karnataka counterpart, have arrested a 29-year-old Congolese national, in connection with an international drug smuggling ring.

Rengara Paul was apprehended in Madiwala, Bengaluru, by a team led by Ernakulam Rural Police Chief Vaibhav Saxena and the Bengaluru Mico Layout police, according to a statement issued by the police here on Sunday.

Also Read | RBSE 12th Result 2024 Date: Rajasthan Board Class 12 Results to Be Out Tomorrow At rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in, Know Steps to Check Score.

Paul's arrest follows the detention of Vipin, who was found with 200 grams of MDMA in Angamaly last month.

The investigation into Vipin's activities led the police to arrest Paul, who had been living in Bengaluru since 2014 on a student visa.

Also Read | Manipur: Labourer From Jharkhand Shot Dead, Two Others Injured in Attack by Unidentified Assailants in Imphal West District.

Instead of pursuing his education, Paul became heavily involved in the narcotics trade.

Known as "Captain" among drug smugglers, Paul is suspected to be a major supplier of drugs to Kerala.

He allegedly manufactured a synthetic drug known as "cook" and was involved in illegal drug transactions worth crores of rupees.

Paul's gang operated in a highly secretive manner. Transactions were conducted online, and the drugs were left at predetermined locations without human presence for customers to collect.

The police arrested Paul after several days of surveillance. He is believed to be a crucial link in the drug supply chain to Kerala.

The Ernakulam Rural Police have registered 750 narcotic cases in the last six months, the statement added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)