Operation Toofan: Kerala, Tamil Nadu join forces to boost anti-drug drive
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) seeking support for the State’s
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) seeking support for the State’s anti-drug campaign, Operation Toofan. Following the discussions, which lasted over 30 minutes, Mr. Chennithala told mediapersons that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister extended support for Kerala’s ongoing enforcement drive. The meeting focussed on strengthening inter-State cooperation to combat drug trafficking and abuse. According to the Minister, Mr. Vijay agreed to enhance police deployment along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border and boost intelligence and information sharing between the two States to crack down on drug-trafficking networks.
Closer cooperation He said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister also convened a meeting with senior police officers and government secretaries, during which directions were issued to further strengthen Operation Toofan through coordinated surveillance and closer cooperation with the Kerala Police. He added that special surveillance would be intensified at airports, railway stations, trains, boats and other transit points to identify and eliminate drug supply routes. “The atmosphere was very positive. The (Tamil Nadu) Chief Minister has assured us of his complete support in this fight against drugs,” Mr. Chennithala said.
Anti-drug awareness programme The Home Minister also announced plans to organise a major anti-drug awareness programme in Ernakulam with the participation of Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Mr. Vijay and actor Mohanlal, who also serves as the brand ambassador of the campaign. Both Mr. Vijay and Mr. Mohanlal had shared screen space in the Tamil film Jilla, he pointed out. Chennithala said he invited Mr. Vijay to Kerala, and that latter accepted the invitation. Earlier in the day, Mr. Chennithala said Operation Toofan has been “highly successful”, claiming that over 7,000 people have been arrested for alleged drug use and trafficking so far.
Praising the Tamil Nadu government’s efforts against drug abuse, the Minister said the State’s initiatives have been commendable. “He (Mr. Vijay) has done so much for the people over the last month or so. I believe the people are happy with his efforts. There is no corruption, and the government is very transparent. I am confident this will continue under his leadership and that the State will prosper,” Mr. Chennithala said.
The BriefWire