Kerala Chief Minister to launch Operation Toofan

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will formally launch Operation Toofan, the Kerala Police’s anti-drug enforcement drive, at the Government Higher Secondary School for Girls, Cotton Hill on June 2.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala will preside over the programme. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan, General Education Minister N. Samsudheen, Excise Minister M. Liju and Transport Minister C.P. John will also attend the function.

According to the police, a digitally enabled system will be established to eliminate drug trafficking and facilitate the rapid collection of information on drug use and distribution across Kerala. A comprehensive digital surveillance network, including mobile applications and WhatsApp chatbots, will be introduced to enable anonymous reporting of drug-related activities.

The initiative also proposes to identify drug hotspots through wastewater testing in campuses and residential areas and conduct smart patrols with the assistance of drones. In addition, the Home department plans to introduce a special anti-drug curriculum in schools. Besides, assets acquired through drug trafficking will be confiscated to deter such activities.

Strict action will also be taken against tobacco sales near schools and against the use and sale of drugs at five-star hotels, DJ parties and gatherings held in backwater and coastal areas.

Ahead of the school reopening, the Thiruvananthapuram City police undertook extensive raids in the city as part of the programme. Banned tobacco products were seized from shops in the drive carried out in association with the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

Five sacks of tobacco products were seized and numerous illegal bunk shops and roadside stalls allegedly used for such illicit activities were removed under the Medical College police limits.