Thiruvananthapuram: Balaji, 43, of Thanjavur was arrested in Malappuram recently in connection with narcotics trade and Rs 1 crore worth of drugs was seized.

With this, the total arrests made in this connection had gone up to 16.

On interrogating the arrested, police got information about Balaji with whom police established contact and placed indent for supplying Rs 25 lakh worth of narcotics mainly ketamin used for administering anaesthesia.

He was asked to bring samples of the drugs to Areekkode where he was trapped by SI Sinodh, police said.He was alleged to have connections with Chennai-based drug mafia. Balaji’s activities extended to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

His driver, however, managed to escape.Already, 15 accused were arrested for carrying ketamin worth Rs 12 crore recently.

They were arrested by special teams constituted by SP Debesh Kumar Behera.