Drug Cases and Arrests Surge in Kerala; Over 18,000 Cases Registered This Year
Thiruvananthapuram: Statistics indicate a significant rise in drug-related cases and arrests across Kerala. So far this year, during various special drives, the state has registered 18,427 drug cases, leading to the arrest of 19,168 individuals.
According to police, their ‘Operation D Hunt’, launched on February 22 to detect illicit drug transactions, has so far resulted in the registration of 16,125 cases and the arrest of 16,953 people. The Excise Department’s ‘Clean Slate’ special drive has accounted for 2,302 cases and 2,215 arrests.
Figures reveal a clear increase in drug cases compared to 2024. Last year, police registered 27,530 cases, and excise registered 8,160, totaling 35,690 cases. Authorities predict that if the special drives continue, the number of drug cases this year could exceed half a lakh (50,000).
Both the police and excise departments acknowledge that the rising number of cases indicates a frightening growth in drug addiction. Police stated that these special drives have enabled them to apprehend numerous drug rackets. Operation D Hunt is set to continue until the end of this month, and the Excise Department’s drive will also persist. High-ranking sources confirmed that a new action plan to combat drug distribution and abuse will be jointly prepared by the police and excise departments by the end of this month.
As part of the special drives, police examined 2.45 lakh (245,000) individuals, and excise conducted 25,350 raids. Under the ‘Clean Slate’ initiative, excise authorities inspected 2.33 lakh (233,000) vehicles. Notably, during these special drives, 1,680 kilograms of Ganja (cannabis) and 8.7 kilograms of MDMA were seized.