Crackdown on drug trafficking to continue: Ramesh Chennithala

T’puram: Home minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Friday that govt would continue its crackdown on drug trafficking networks across the state, with a special focus on identifying the source of narcotics and dismantling supply chains targeting students and youngsters. He said law enforcement agencies were conducting stringent scrutiny of suspected drug traffickers and intermediaries.

Chennithala said enforcement measures are being carried out in all districts under Operation Toofan, a statewide anti-drug campaign headed by IG P Vimaladitya, who has been appointed as its special officer. “International drug syndicates are trying to build their trade around students and young people. We have already arrested two members of international drug networks. Narcotics worth around Rs 60 lakh have been seized during Operation Toofan,” he said.

He said a Nigerian national, Samuel, was arrested from Delhi in connection with a drug case involving a 16-member network. In another case registered in Pathanamthitta, a foreign national identified as Elsina was arrested from Bengaluru.

To strengthen public participation in anti-drug operations, govt has launched a dedicated intelligence-sharing mechanism named ‘Toofan Vigilance’. Chennithala urged citizens to share information about drug-related activities with the police. People can provide information through the helpline numbers 9497979794 and 9497927797, while details can also be shared on the WhatsApp number 9995966666.

“Public awareness and strong action against traffickers will go hand in hand. People should share the information they have. Even if there are lapses on the part of the police, those can be reported,” he said.

The minister also called for amendments to provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act related to possession limits, arguing that existing legal provisions require reconsideration.

According to official figures, police filed 728 cases under Operation Toofan and arrested 795 persons. It seized 625g of MDMA, 48kg of ganja, 130g of hashish oil and 480 ganja beedis during the operation. To identify drug sources and distribution networks, govt has constituted four specialised teams of 16 members each across all 84 police divisions in Kerala.

On police reforms, Chennithala said govt would move ahead with proposed changes to the station house officer (SHO) system after examining the recommendations of the committee constituted for the purpose. He said feedback received from the public and policemen indicates that the introduction of SHO system has adversely affected the morale of SIs.

“The fact that this system was introduced by the previous govt does not mean this govt will automatically discard it. But many officers have said that the earlier arrangement was effective. Necessary changes will be implemented in a time-bound manner,” he said.