‘Operation Toofan’: over 400 arrested in Kozhikode this month
The ongoing ‘Operation Toofan’, a State-wide campaign by the Home department aimed at curbing drug abuse through enforcement, awareness programmes, and rehabilitation efforts, is yielding
The ongoing ‘Operation Toofan’, a State-wide campaign by the Home department aimed at curbing drug abuse through enforcement, awareness programmes, and rehabilitation efforts, is yielding the desired results in Kozhikode district, with 417 cases registered and 422 people arrested during the first 22 days of June. “We are systematically tracing the supply chain behind narcotics cases by following leads obtained from users and suppliers. The investigation has already yielded significant information, and our recent operations resulted in the seizure of two medium-quantity narcotics consignments in the city,” said a senior officer attached to the Kozhikode City police.
“The operation is more than intensified policing. We are also focussing on educating students and youth about the dangers of narcotics and providing counselling and treatment to those affected. To mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, awareness programmes, including rallies, seminars, flash mobs, and street plays will be organised,” said the Vadakara Deputy Superintendent of Police. The operation led to the seizure of narcotic substances, including MDMA, ganja, hashish oil, brown sugar, methamphetamine, and ganja plants. The police seized a total of 278.287 grams of MDMA and 5,889.47 grams of ganja during this period.
The drive also resulted in the recovery of 4.32 grams of hashish oil, 0.18 grams of brown sugar, 6.64 grams of methamphetamine, and three ganja plants, according to official data. A majority of the cases were booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Of the total cases registered, 37 involved small quantities of narcotic substances, seven involved intermediate quantities, and three involved commercial quantities. The remaining 370 cases were registered under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act. The largest seizure of ganja was reported on June 18, when the police caught two Odisha natives with 4.274 kg of the substance at the KSRTC bus station on Mavoor Road.
On June 13, officers seized 194.6 grams of MDMA, the highest quantity recorded on a single day during the operation. Commercial quantity cases were registered on June 5, 13, and 20.