'Toofan' hurricane in Kerala; 1559 arrests recorded in past week

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Home Department's 'Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt' is cracking down on the drug mafia. Operation Toofan is targeting the 'big sharks' smuggling drugs into Kerala. The police arrested two Nigerians in Delhi and Bengaluru. In the past week, 1,559 people have been arrested in 1,442 cases. 1.13 kg of MDMA and 111.58 kg of cannabis were seized.

Toofan Intelligence has been launched in the Special Branch. Phone and internet usage will be intercepted to find large transactions and the source of drugs. Interstate routes that bring drugs, drug networks, and smuggling through couriers will be discovered. The police are monitoring transactions on the darknet, drug sales through social media, and encrypted communication through VPNs.

Efforts are being made to crack down on the mafia by intensifying intelligence gathering with the help of central agencies, including Customs, ED, DRI and other state police. Steps have been taken to identify and shut down labs in other states preparing drugs and to arrest those who are funnelling money into drug dealing. A database of drug smugglers will be created and handed over to the police of other states, along with their location information.

The properties purchased by the drug mafia on their own or in the name of relatives or friends will be confiscated. There is a secret investigation to find benami properties. Sections 31 and 31-A of the Central Act NDPS will be imposed against habitual offenders, and double punishment will be ensured. A report will be submitted to the court, including the case history and convictions of the accused. A Central Act will be imposed to detain drug dealers, including wholesalers, for up to two years without trial.

👉Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the issue had serious consequences on public health, law and order, education, family security and social security.

👉A comprehensive plan will be made, including the departments of Home, Health, Education, Excise, Social Justice, Sports, Youth Welfare and Local Government

👉Systems for rehabilitation and counselling will be increased. There will be more drug-free centres. Technology will be made available to nab more drug peddlers.

👉Awareness will be strengthened in schools, colleges, residence associations and workplaces.

👉Vigilance in educational institutions, nightlife centres, and cities. Strict surveillance at airports, highways and railways