Kerala seizes drugs worth Rs6m, foreigners among 795 arrested

In a significant breakthrough under the Kerala police's anti-drug initiative, Operation Toofan — The Narco Hunt, two key members of an international drug gang have been apprehended.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said that Nigerian citizen Samuel Cliffson Ockfor was arrested in Delhi, while a foreign woman named Elsina Santan Susan was arrested in Bangalore.

Both arrests are linked to cases registered in Pandalam and Perinad in Pathanamthitta district, highlighting the flow of drugs being smuggled into Kerala from abroad.

The minister revealed that narcotics worth Rs6 million have been seized in just the last three days.

A total of 728 cases have been registered statewide through Operation Toofan, resulting in the arrest of 795 individuals.

The drugs seized include 0.6256 kg of MDMA, 48.049 kg of cannabis, 0.136 kg of hashish oil, and 480 cannabis bidis.

To combat drug trafficking, the police encourage people across the world to share confidential information on WhatsApp at 9995966666.

The minister said the privacy of those providing information will be strictly protected as part of the massive operation launched last week to make Kerala a drug-free state.

He emphasised that a well-organised search is being conducted across all police districts.

Four teams, each consisting of 16 members, have been formed in 84 subdivisions for this initiative.

Inspector General P Vimaladitya has been appointed as the special officer, and a team dubbed Toofan Intelligence has been tasked with identifying the sources of narcotics.

Additionally, selling tobacco products in front of schools has been completely banned, and sellers will face strict consequences if they violate this rule.

He reiterated that the government is committed to enforcing strong measures alongside raising public awareness about the dangers of drugs.

"A large-scale search operation has been underway since the launch of Operation Toofan on June 2, aimed at eradicating the drug menace. Many individuals, including celebrities, are joining the fight against drug abuse,” he told reporters.

"The Kerala police will collaborate with Mammootty's anti-drug team, and actor Unni Mukundan has commendably highlighted the issue by tagging the Kerala Police in a video showing drug use by workers from other states.”

The project aimed at dismantling the drug mafia is implemented in cooperation with the education, health, and excise departments.

"Through this initiative, the Kerala Police seeks to enforce strict legal action against drug traffickers and foster widespread public resistance against drug abuse,” he said.

"The project is designed to meet the challenges of the digital age, particularly aimed at combating the swift proliferation of synthetic drugs.”