'Will uproot drug mafia in state'; Kerala launches ‘Operation Toofan’ to crack down on drug abuse

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has announced 'Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt' to protect youngsters and students from drug abuse, which he said is destroying even family relationships. The operation aims to crack down on drug sales near schools and colleges, as well as drug parties held in hotels, backwaters and coastal areas.

Police will not require prior permission to conduct raids in campuses and hostels. Police presence will also be ensured around all schools. Those who are accused in at least two cases of supplying drugs to students will be placed under preventive detention.

Anti-drug squads will be formed in every district. Cyber patrol teams will monitor and prevent drug deals carried out through social media. Properties acquired through drug trafficking will also be confiscated.

The operation will be implemented under the leadership of the ADGP in charge of law and order. Operation Toofan will begin on June 1, when schools and colleges reopen, with the support of the Police, Excise and Education Departments. The Hindi word “Toofan” means storm.

The Home Minister also directed State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar to convene a meeting of DGPs from South Indian states to crack down on interstate drug networks and middlemen.

Interstate drug links

• Kerala ranks third in the country in synthetic drug usage. Afghan and African heroin, as well as the synthetic drug “Methtrax,” are reportedly easily available in the state.
• LSD is reportedly being brought into Kerala from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• Cannabis is allegedly being transported by train to Kochi from Bihar and Odisha.

Key findings

1. Excise officials identified drug-related activities near 1,140 schools.
2. 104 schools have been identified as severe drug-use hotspots.
3. 31.8% of college students reportedly use drugs.
4. 80% of teenagers use drugs along with friends.
5. Police have prepared a list of 1,681 drug traffickers.

“We will uproot the drug network in Kerala. This operation is being launched keeping the future generation in mind,” Ramesh Chennithala said at a press conference.

Changes in police station administration
The government has also announced changes in the lower-level police administration system. Sub-Inspectors (SIs) will once again be given charge of 210 C-category police stations where fewer than 500 cases are registered annually. One Inspector will supervise two stations, while one DySP will oversee nine stations.

An expert committee will study the reorganisation of the presence of SIs, Circle Inspectors and DySPs in police stations. A five-member committee led by an ADGP at the Police Headquarters has been appointed for this purpose. The Home Minister said the recommendations would be implemented immediately after the report is submitted.

Serious crimes reported in stations headed by SIs will be investigated either by DySPs or Inspectors from the District Crime Branch.

Circle Inspectors removed from station-level duties will instead be assigned investigations related to cybercrime, POCSO cases and financial fraud. Some officers will also be transferred to the District Crime Branch and Armed Reserve camps. In stations with more than one SI, one officer will be designated as the Principal SI.