Kerala on track to become India's narcotic trade capital
"Kerala is facing a serious drug‑related crime epidemic. 2024 saw over 27,700 NDPS cases, the highest rate in India. In addition to murders, drug-related assaults, family violence, and youth crime are increasing sharply," sources told UNI quoting the social justice department report.
In early 2025, approximately 50% of murder cases in Kerala were linked to drugs, with root causes including the increased use of synthetic substances like MDMA, easy smuggling through coastal routes and major cities, and rising drug use among the youth.
Opposition parties like Congress and BJP have accused the state's CPI(M)-led LDF government of taking "inadequate action" against drug mafias "operating with political support".
They alleged that the state government has failed to curb the unprecedented influx of highly dangerous narcotic substances into Kerala, where CPI(M) offices have reportedly been used as hubs for drug dealings.
Though the Kerala Police launched 'Operation D-Hunt' arrested thousands of people, and filed numerous cases, the smuggling of hundreds of kilograms of ganja - along with several kilograms of MDMA, cannabis, heroin, and other drugs - continues unabated, proving that the narcotics smuggling network remains unchallenged.
Kerala is witnessing a significant narcotics surge - especially synthetic drugs - relying heavily on trains and courier routes. The state leads the country in NDPS case load per capita, though the total quantities seized remain less compared to some other states.
According to the Kerala Police, most of the MDMA is being smuggled into the state from neighbouring regions and distributed through social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps. The increasing involvement of young people - especially college students - in both consumption and peddling has alarmed authorities. UNI DS SSP
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