1377 drug spots under drone surveillance; police to strengthen investigation on black spots

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Police have found 1,377 black spots in the state where drug trade and trafficking are taking place on a large scale. These are under the jurisdiction of 472 police stations.

The highest numbers are in Thiruvananthapuram City (235), Thiruvananthapuram Rural (118), and Malappuram (92). ADGP Manoj Abraham told 'Kerala Kaumudi' that continuous drone inspections will be conducted in black spots to catch drug dealers and users.

Raids will be conducted by examining drone footage. Storage, distribution centres, and vehicles transporting drugs will be seized. Women carriers will also be identified. Special squads have been formed at 472 stations for this purpose. It was also found that drug trade is taking place in the shops near schools and colleges in black spots. Most of the drugs sold are chemical drugs, including MDMA.

To prevent the flow of drugs, a Narco-Coordination Centre has been set up at the state level, headed by the Chief Secretary and at the district level by the Collector, to coordinate with various agencies. Information, including pictures of drug dealers, is being provided to the national database NIDAAN (National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco Offenders). This is helpful in case investigation.

Checking the footage and immediate arrest

• Police will fly drones over black spots and take footage.
• These will be checked in real time at stations and control rooms.
• Drug dealers and users will be arrested immediately.
• Drug sales centres can be raided based on footage.
• Footage can be secretly recorded from a very high altitude.
• For this, stations can rent or buy drones.

Blackspots (District/Police Station, Blackspots)

Thiruvananthapuram...................59,353

Kollam.....................................35,95

Pathanamthitta..................................14,34

Alappuzha................................30,56

Kottayam...................................45,70

Idukki..................................22, 52

Ernakulam..........................57,133

Thrissur..................................39,117

Palakkad.................................35,82

Malappuram.................................34,92

Kozhikode.................................34,112

Wayanad..................................17,26

Kannur.....................................33,66

Kasargod..........................18,83

Drug Case, Arrest (Police figures)

2022............26565, 29514

2023............30555, 33062

2024............27415, 29706

10,829.88 kg of ganja seized in 3 years

Information on drug cases can be reported at: 9497927797, 9497979794 (Antinarcotics cell).

MDMA seized

In 2022--------14.03 kg

In 2023-----14.97 kg

In 2024-----24.71 kg

In 2025-----1.7 kg

MDMA is a drug that can cause a high for hours even when used in very small quantities.

"We will work very carefully in black spots and crack down on the mafia. The demand and supply are the highest in black spots." -Manoj Abraham, ADGP, Law and Order