Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Kerala Minister Urges Families to Join Drug Abuse Fight
Kerala is trying to stop illegal drugs through a campaign called Operation Toofan.
The Home Minister said police cannot solve the problem alone.
He asked families, teachers and friends to help protect children.
He said parents should pay attention and care for children.
Police have arrested 10,748 people and registered more than 9,000 cases.
They have also seized drugs worth nearly Rs 170 crore.
Officials are checking how drug groups get and move their money.
The government says no one involved in drug trafficking will receive political protection.
An anti-drug promise was made at the Idukki programme.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said combating drug abuse is a responsibility shared by police, families, teachers and friends.
Operation Toofan has resulted in 10,748 arrests, more than 9,000 cases and drug seizures worth nearly Rs 170 crore.
Authorities seized 13 kg of MDMA from Coimbatore and hybrid cannabis worth Rs 18 crore from Kochi.
Investigators are examining the financial networks behind drug transactions and gold smuggling, with the Enforcement Directorate searching in four districts.
Chennithala said synthetic drugs were increasingly reaching children and announced that police methods and drug-detection dog training were being strengthened.
- Who
- Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, the Kerala Police, families, teachers and friends are involved in the anti-drug effort.
- What
- The Idukki district-level Toofan Jagaran programme was inaugurated and updates were provided on Operation Toofan’s drug investigations.
- When
- The programme was held on Thursday; no calendar date was specified.
- Where
- Near Idukki, Kerala; the minister also referred to seizures in Coimbatore and Kochi and Enforcement Directorate searches in four districts.
- Why
- The campaign aims to combat drug abuse, which the minister said was increasingly reaching children, and to dismantle the financial networks of drug mafias.
- Operation
- Operation Toofan - The Narco Hunt
- Arrests
- 10,748 people arrested
- Cases
- More than 9,000 cases registered
- Drug seizures
- Nearly Rs 170 crore worth of drugs seized
- Major seizure
- 13 kg of MDMA seized from Coimbatore
- Other seizure
- Hybrid cannabis worth Rs 18 crore seized from Kochi
- Financial investigation
- The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches in four districts