THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/ KOCHI: The police and excise departments have decided to conduct widespread joint raids on campuses in the state after it became clear that the ganja seized from the Kalamassery Government Polytechnic College hostel has a West Bengal connection.

Two former students who supplied ganja in the Kalamassery Government Polytechnic College hostel were arrested yesterday. A search is underway to find the West Bengal native who supplied the drugs to them. The arrested individuals are Ashiq (20) from Edayappuram, Aluva, and K.S. Shalik (21) from Desom, Aluva. The SFI has alleged that Shalik was the former KSU unit secretary at the college and Ashiq was a KSU activist.

According to the police, Shalik purchased ganja from a West Bengal native and handed it over to Akash, a hostel inmate, through Ashiq. Akash, who was arrested during the raid, has been remanded. Based on his statements, Shalik was arrested from his home and Ashiq from the Kalamassery area. They had previously supplied ganja multiple times.

ADGP Manoj Abraham told Kerala Kaumudi that prior permission is not required for conducting raids at campuses and that the authorities have the power to inspect any location for drug seizures.

In a meeting chaired by Manoj Abraham, police and excise officers decided to conduct joint inspections in all suspected locations. Information about drug suppliers, dealers, and couriers will be shared among the departments. Police will also be stationed at excise checkpoints, and authorities will monitor the phone conversations of drug traffickers. A dedicated portal will be launched for reporting drug sales. The decision was made at a meeting attended by the Excise Commissioner, IGs, DIGs, SPs, and excise officers.

Continuous surveillance on campuses

• Surveillance on campuses will be intensified. Information will be collected, including from parents. A system will be set up to report drug-related activities. Night raids will be increased.
• Saliva test kits will be used in raids to detect drug use.
• Virtual police and excise units consisting of principals and teachers will be activated.

Drug trade conducted via WhatsApp
The drug trade in the hostel was conducted through WhatsApp groups. Special offers were given to those who made advance payments. Amounts ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000 were collected.

• Drug transactions in 1140 schools
• 31.8% of college students use drugs, according to excise department statistics.

"We will not isolate the arrested students. Instead, we will guide them back to the right path."
-Dr. Aiju Thomas, Principal, Kalamassery Government Polytechnic College

"The two arrested individuals were directly involved. They have confessed to the crime."
-P.V. Baby, Assistant Police Commissioner, Thrikkakara