Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has said that Operation Toofan, the Kerala government’s anti-drug enforcement, has yielded significant results within days of its launch.

A total of 728 cases have been registered, leading to the arrest of 795 people. The police have also seized various narcotic substances—625.6 grams of MDMA, 48.049 kg of ganja, 136 grams of hashish oil, and 480 ganja beedis. Narcotics substances worth over ₹60 lakh were seized within three days.

As part of the crackdown, the investigation teams arrested two foreigners, suspected to be drug-racket kingpins, from New Delhi and Bengaluru, in separate cases registered in Pathanamthitta. Both of them have been accused of smuggling drugs into Kerala, Mr. Chennithala added.

The public have been encouraged to share confidential information through three dedicated numbers. Information can be shared through voice calls at 9497979794 and 9497927797, or through WhatsApp at 9995966666.

The police have constituted four 16-member teams across 84 police sub-divisions in the State as part of the enforcement drive. Besides, a dedicated wing—Toofan Intelligence—has been assigned to trace the origin and sources of the contraband.

‘Reform in SHO system’

Mr. Chennithala added that necessary reforms will be made to the Station House Officer (SHO) system in police stations across Kerala in a time-bound manner.

The government had appointed a committee to review the SHO system. A final decision would be taken soon after receiving the committee’s report and considering the recommendations of the State Police Chief in the matter.

According to the Minister, the feedback received from both the public and police personnel indicated that the transfer of station charge to Circle Inspectors had reduced the motivation of Sub-Inspectors and thereby affected their performance. Many officers had also expressed the view that the previous system was more effective, he claimed.

He, however, clarified that the government would not discontinue a scheme solely because it was introduced by the previous administration.