Keralam’s Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has stated that the response to the state’s anti-drugs campaign, Operation Toofan, has been overwhelming. The campaign, which was launched 76 days ago, has led to over 10,000 arrests, more than 9,000 cases, and the seizure of narcotics worth over ₹100 crore.
Operation Toofan has three components: Strike, Warriors, and Care. Toofan Strike is the enforcement wing, focusing on those who sell, distribute, and promote drugs. Toofan Warriors is the public participation component, where citizens, students, community groups, and public figures voluntarily join the campaign. Toofan Care focuses on rehabilitation, providing treatment and support to addicts. The identities of those undergoing treatment are kept confidential, and they are helped to return to mainstream life. Over 150 people have already been admitted for treatment, with many completing rehabilitation and others continuing to receive support.
The Home Minister emphasized that the government distinguishes between users and traffickers. Users are treated as victims who need treatment and rehabilitation, while traffickers face strong legal action. Repeat offenders can face stringent action, and properties linked to drug trafficking are attached and confiscated. The objective is to ensure that drug trafficking becomes an unviable business.
The operation has achieved significant results, with the seizure of MDMA, ganja, and synthetic drugs. The methods and substances used by traffickers keep changing, and new forms of drugs are constantly emerging in the market. The Home Minister acknowledged that Keralam is not facing a local problem but an international network, with drug networks operating across states and international borders.
Drugs enter Keralam through sea routes, air routes, and rail networks, as well as through courier services, food delivery apps, and parcel delivery systems. Traffickers use innovative methods, including transporting drugs through ambulances. The Home Minister emphasized the importance of coordination with other agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau, Customs, Railway Police, and Intelligence Bureau.
The campaign enjoys support across political lines, with the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka announcing similar operations. The Union Home Minister has also offered support. The Home Minister stated that the response from the public has been overwhelming, with parents, especially mothers, strongly supporting the campaign. Preliminary assessments suggest a 30% reduction in overall crimes and a 40% decline in road accidents since the crackdown began.
The Home Minister’s larger goal is to protect the younger generation from drug abuse, which can destroy families, communities, and future. Operation Toofan is not just a policing exercise but a social movement, aiming to eliminate the drug menace from society through a collaborative effort between government agencies, schools, hospitals, community organizations, and citizens.
