Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Police have arrested more than 10,000 people under Operation Toofan, the Statewide campaign against narcotics, as the Home Department intensifies its crackdown on drug trafficking and organised crime.
Police said 8.28 kg of MDMA and around 1,000 kg of cannabis had been seized during the continuing operation. Investigations have revealed that a large quantity of the MDMA entering Kerala is sourced from Bengaluru, Delhi and Goa.
Police have found that the principal links in synthetic-drug trafficking cases and cannabis supply networks operate outside Kerala. Interstate gangs transport narcotics into the State through an extensive network of carriers and local distributors.
However, most people arrested during Operation Toofan are believed to be small-scale dealers or drug users. Investigators are now working to trace the major suppliers and financiers controlling the networks from outside the State.
Alongside the anti-narcotics drive, the Home Department has launched Operation Grip to curb organised crime and bring wanted offenders to justice. As many as 158 people, including absconding suspects, have been arrested under the initiative.
Police have also invoked the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, commonly known as KAAPA, against 20 individuals. Alleged gangsters, including Maradu Aneesh and Arjun Ayanki, are among those sent to jail as part of the crackdown.
Authorities have placed 10,519 people under strict surveillance under Operation Grip. The list includes individuals suspected of involvement in organised crime, repeat offenders and those believed to maintain links with criminal gangs.
Police officials said both operations would continue, with enforcement agencies focusing on dismantling interstate supply chains and preventing organised criminal groups from rebuilding their networks. The Home Department has directed district police chiefs to closely monitor habitual offenders and strengthen intelligence-sharing to identify those financing or coordinating drug trafficking and gang-related activities across Kerala.
