Kochi: Kerala’s intensified fight against illegal drugs has resulted in the seizure of narcotics worth more than Rs 30 crore in just one month, highlighting both the scale of the drug trade and the growing efforts of law enforcement agencies to control it. Thousands of cases have been registered and more than 5,700 people have been arrested as police continue their statewide campaign against drug trafficking and consumption.
The major crackdown was carried out under Operation Toofan, also known as The Narco Hunt, which began on June 2. During the first month of the campaign, police registered 5,353 drug related cases and arrested 5,736 people from different parts of the state.
The large number of arrests and seizures has brought fresh attention to the drug problem facing Kerala. Police teams conducted searches and special operations across cities, towns and rural areas. The campaign focused not only on people carrying small quantities of drugs but also on dealers, distributors and organised networks suspected of bringing narcotics into the state.
Among the substances seized during the operation were around 3.7 kilograms of MDMA, more than 392 kilograms of cannabis, about 3.78 kilograms of hashish oil and 657 grams of brown sugar. Police also recovered heroin, methamphetamine, opium, LSD stamps, cannabis plants and thousands of cannabis beedis.
One of the biggest seizures reported during the campaign took place in Ernakulam, where authorities recovered around 18 kilograms of hybrid cannabis valued at approximately Rs 18 crore. The case attracted attention because of the high value of the seized substance and concerns over the growing demand for expensive varieties of drugs.
Other major cases were reported from different districts. In Malappuram, authorities seized MDMA reportedly worth around Rs 26 lakh. In Kasaragod, enforcement teams discovered about 15,000 packets of banned tobacco products at a manufacturing facility. Police have also investigated possible links between local drug distribution groups and international trafficking networks.
The pace of the operation increased significantly towards the end of June. By June 23, authorities had registered 3,657 cases and arrested 3,931 people. In the following days, the figures increased rapidly, reaching 5,353 cases and 5,736 arrests by the end of the first month.
A special enforcement drive known as Toofan Strike also led to hundreds of cases in a single night. Police registered 799 cases during the operation conducted on June 27, showing the scale of coordinated enforcement activity across the state.
Kerala has been facing growing concern over the availability and use of narcotic substances in recent years. Government data has shown that the state recorded more than 30,000 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in 2023. Officials have said that the high number of cases reflects the seriousness of the drug problem as well as stronger detection and enforcement efforts.
International trafficking routes are also a concern for enforcement agencies. In April 2026, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized nearly two kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from a passenger who arrived at Calicut International Airport from Muscat. The seizure highlighted the challenge of preventing narcotics from entering the state through international travel routes.
Police authorities say the fight against drugs cannot depend on arrests alone. Along with enforcement operations, awareness programmes, counselling and rehabilitation efforts have also been carried out. During the campaign, thousands of awareness sessions were organised, while hundreds of people received counselling and some were moved to rehabilitation centres for further support.
Authorities are also strengthening intelligence gathering and surveillance to identify supply chains and organised trafficking networks. Cyber monitoring is becoming an important part of the campaign as dealers increasingly use digital communication and social media platforms to contact customers and arrange deliveries.
The first month of Operation Toofan has revealed the enormous challenge facing Kerala. While the seizure of drugs worth more than Rs 30 crore is a major enforcement achievement, the number of cases and arrests also shows how widely the illegal drug trade has spread.
Police officials have indicated that the campaign will continue with greater focus on major suppliers and trafficking networks. The challenge now is to prevent new networks from replacing those that have been disrupted, while ensuring that young people and vulnerable communities receive awareness, counselling and rehabilitation support.
As the statewide campaign continues, authorities are hoping that stronger enforcement, better intelligence sharing and public cooperation will help reduce the flow of illegal drugs. The results of the first month have sent a clear message that Kerala is intensifying its battle against narcotics, but they have also shown that the fight is likely to be a long and difficult one.