Sandalwood drugs case: NCB takes custody of Bineesh Kodiyeri

Bineesh Kodiyeri, who was in ED custody in a money laundering case related to the Sandalwood drugs probe, has been arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Tuesday.

Bengaluru: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) probing the Sandalwood drugs case, on Tuesday recorded the arrest of Bineesh Kodiyeri for his alleged involvement in the same for which an investigation is now underway.

Former CPI (M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son Bineesh Kodiyeri, who was in ED custody in a money laundering case related to the Sandalwood drugs probe, has been arrested by the NCB on Tuesday.

NCB sleuths arrived at Parappana Agrahara jail in the city to record the arrest, where he is lodged in connection with a money laundering case probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Bineesh was arrested by ED on October 29 with the central agency claiming an alleged close connection with drug peddler Mohammed Anoop who was arrested by them earlier. ED had further noted that the hotel Anoop was operating in Bengaluru, was Bineesh's Benami property.

After the ED's submissions, a Bengaluru court had sent Bineesh to 14-day judicial custody. His previous 10-day custody had ended on November 10 and he was to apply for bail on November 18. However, he would now be shifted to NCB custody instead.

The 36-year-old is the younger son, Kerala CPI (M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan who stepped down from the post of the party's State Secretary earlier this week citing health issues.