Kerala's Operation Toofan Anti-Drug Drive Gains Momentum with Multiple Arrests
Operation Toofan, launched on June 1, 2026, by Kerala state’s Home department, is a coordinated anti-narcotic crackdown across the state, particularly in Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts. Police have registered hundreds of cases, arrested over 500 individuals, and seized large quantities of ganja, MDMA, heroin, and hashish oil. Major drug busts targeted migrant traffickers from West Bengal and Odisha, with contraband transported by train. The operation combines enforcement, rehabilitation, and public awareness campaigns.
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Operation Toofan: Over 400 Arrested in Kozhikode in June Anti-Drug Drive
Operation Toofan, a state-wide anti-drug campaign by Kerala's Home department, has resulted in 417 cases registered and 422 arrests in Kozhikode district during the first 22 days of June 2026. The operation combines enforcement, awareness programs, and rehabilitation efforts. Police seized significant quantities of narcotics including 278 grams of MDMA, nearly 5.9 kg of ganja, hashish oil, brown sugar, and methamphetamine. Three commercial quantity cases were registered. The largest ganja seizure (4.274 kg) occurred on June 18 involving two Odisha natives, while the largest MDMA seizure (194.6 grams) was on June 13. Police are tracing supply chains from users to suppliers. Awareness programs including rallies, seminars, and flash mobs are planned for International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Two Odisha Migrants Arrested in Kozhikode with Over 4 kg of Ganja Amid Operation Toofan
On June 18, 2026, the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force and Nadakkavu police arrested two Odisha migrants, Nithin Digal and Sashank Singh, at the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus station in Kozhikode city. They were found in possession of 4.24 kg of ganja, allegedly transported from Odisha by train to Perumbavoor and then to Kozhikode. The arrests are part of Operation Toofan, a Kozhikode City Police anti-narcotics drive. From June 1 to 17, the operation resulted in 339 cases against 344 persons. Seizures included 962.02 grams of ganja, 247.07 grams of MDMA, 4.32 grams of hashish oil, 0.18 grams of brown sugar, two ganja plants, and 293 ganja beedis. Most cases were under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, with 33 involving small quantities, five intermediate, and two commercial quantities. The largest MDMA seizure was 194.6 grams on June 13, and the highest ganja seizure was 645.22 grams on June 11. The most cases (31) were registered on June 7.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.34 kg of suspected ganja seized from three youths in Aluva
On June 16, 2026, Kerala police arrested three youths from West Bengal's Murshidabad district in Aluva, seizing approximately 34 kg of suspected ganja. The arrests occurred during a special drive under Operation Toofan, conducted by a joint team of the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (Ernakulam Rural) and Aluva police. The suspects—Rafiqul Sheikh, 30; Juyel Sheikh, 22; and Sahin Sheikh, 29—had purchased the narcotics in Odisha and traveled by train to Angamaly. They then hired an autorickshaw and were intercepted at Thottakkattukara in Aluva. The contraband was packed in 16 packets concealed in backpacks. Police stated the drugs were intended for sale in Perumbavoor and Muvattupuzha.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Operation Toofan: Rural Police Seize 60 kg of Suspected Ganja in Two Weeks
Operation Toofan, a state-wide anti-drug mission in Kerala, India, led to the seizure of nearly 60 kg of suspected ganja from the Ernakulam Rural police limits in less than two weeks since its launch on June 1, 2026. The police registered around 60 cases and arrested 73 people under the NDPS Act. Additional seizures included 780 grams of hashish oil and 5 grams of MDMA. The largest single seizure was 34 kg of ganja from Kunnuvazhi, where three West Bengal natives were intercepted in an autorickshaw; the contraband was procured from Odisha and transported by train to Aluva. Another major seizure of 12 kg occurred at Angamaly railway station, with two West Bengal natives arrested. In Perumbavoor, police seized ganja, hashish oil, heroin, and banned tobacco products, and arrested two young women migrant workers for drug trafficking. Year-to-date, the rural police have seized nearly 400 kg of ganja, 775 grams of MDMA, 780 grams of hashish oil, and 680 grams of heroin.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Operation Toofan Gains Momentum in Ernakulam with Intensified Anti-Drug Raids
Operation Toofan, the Kerala state government's anti-narcotic drive, has gained early momentum in Ernakulam district. Within Kochi city limits, police registered 129 cases and arrested 145 individuals under the NDPS Act in the first week since June 1. Seizures included 8.867 kg of suspected ganja and 443.86 gm of MDMA, with the largest MDMA haul of 437.28 gm recovered from three youths in Thrikkakara. In the rural Perumbavoor region, a special squad led by ASP Hardik Meena arrested 11 migrant labourers for drug peddling and consumption during a day-and-night raid. Additionally, four men from Murshidabad, West Bengal, were arrested with 34 kg of ganja, and two youths from Assam were caught with six bottles of suspected heroin after a viral video showed them injecting drugs in public. The police have deployed special surveillance squads and dog squads to target drug hotspots.
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