Latest news with #OperationD-Hunt
United News of India
10-07-2025
- United News of India
Kerala on track to become India's narcotic trade capital
Thiruvananthapuram, July 10 (UNI) Kerala is slowly becoming the capital of the narcotic trade in India, with around 7.5 lakh adults and 75,000 children aged between 10 and 17 using drugs, sources said today quoting a latest report that showed 78 cases per lakh population in the southern state, compared to 30 in Punjab. "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
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- The Hindu
Drug trafficking: Kozhikode city police nab 1,603 suspects in six months
Heightened vigilance and sustained patrol efforts by the Kozhikode city police, with the support of the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF), led to the arrest of 1,603 suspects, including three foreign nationals and 58 people from outside Kerala, in the past six months. According to the latest statistics from the District Crime Records Bureau (DCRB), a total of 1,505 narcotic cases were registered during this period. Officers with the anti-narcotics squad said 31 of these cases involved the seizure of drugs in commercial quantities. 'The total seizure included 102.55 kg of ganja, 2.61 kg of MDMA and 1.033 kg of hashish oil, reportedly brought in to target young drug users. This was apart from the recovery of smuggled LSD stamps, brown sugar and tranquilliser drugs,' they said. Apart from routine checks, Operation D-Hunt, a State-wide crackdown on drug peddlers, was a major success in Kozhikode city. The police registered 1,118 cases and arrested 1,170 suspects as part of the drive. The operation also led to the seizure of 60 kg of ganja, 1.04 kg of MDMA, and 1.033 kg of hashish oil, said a senior officer who compiled the data for the DCRB. He said that police squads from the Kunnamangalam, Nadakkavu, Kozhikode Town, and Feroke stations made significant breakthroughs in seizing MDMA, one of the most dangerous synthetic drugs, and apprehending key traffickers. One of the major achievements during the six-month drive was the arrest of an 11-member drug peddling gang with international links. The gang played a key role in distributing synthetic drugs among youngsters in Kozhikode, Palakkad, and Malappuram districts, according to anti-narcotics squad members. In the case registered at Kunnamangalam police station, officers arrested a Nigerian national and two Tanzanian citizens who allegedly coordinated the synthetic drug trade in India. They were said to be operating a well-connected network of local traffickers and international agents. All 11 suspects were arrested within three months, police sources said. Updated data on drug seizures also revealed that most non-Keralite drug peddlers arrested in Kozhikode with smuggled ganja hailed from Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. They had arrived in the city for odd jobs and roadside businesses, and primarily targeted migrant workers. The police sources said other suspects were found focusing on students, using synthetic drugs reportedly smuggled in from Bengaluru.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Time of India
Kochi tops in drug use among children, HC seeks solutions
The Kerala high court on Thursday orally asked the state govt whether there is any proposed action plan to curb the growing menace of drug use among children in Ernakulam city (police limits). The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C Jayachandran made the query while considering a batch of petitions, including one filed by Sumi Joseph of Ernakulam - a mother of school-going children - as well as Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) and others, seeking effective state intervention on the issue. According to an affidavit filed by the deputy secretary of the home department -- which included data from 2015 to 2024 -- Ernakulam city recorded the highest number of such cases, 53. Kottayam followed with 21 cases, Kozhikode city reported 12, Thrissur rural 9, Alappuzha 7 and Idukki 5. No cases were registered in Thiruvananthapuram city, Kollam city, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kannur (city and rural) or Kasaragod during this period. After examining the data and affidavit, the division bench observed that the authorities must focus their immediate attention on Ernakulam city. The court accordingly directed the Kochi city police commissioner to appear - either physically or virtually - by the next posting date to provide suggestions for a proposed action plan. The court also noted the lack of qualitative analysis in the affidavit such as studies identifying trends or reasons behind the data and therefore sought assistance of a senior police officer to focus specifically on Ernakulam. Additionally, the petitioner's counsel submitted that, according to their own findings, the situation in Ernakulam city is even more severe than the data suggests. The petitioner has collected relevant material, which will be handed over to the Kochi city police commissioner. The affidavit filed by home department deputy secretary T S Sindhu further stated the special drive titled Operation D-Hunt - led by the Ernakulam rural district police chief - is progressing vigorously across the state to combat the drug menace. The drive has resulted in significant seizures and is part of a multi-pronged strategy. So far, Janamaithri beat officers have identified 308 drug- or substance-addicted children. Besides, 341 children and adolescents have received counselling services, 112 have undergone de-addiction treatment and 142 have accessed teleconsulting services through the Chiri helpdesk which handles children's grievances and complaints. Additionally, 478 children have availed themselves of services offered by DDAD (digital de-addiction), DCRC (domestic conflict resolution centre) and 'Koottu' counsellors or psychologists during the past decade, the affidavit said.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Time of India
Drug use among kids: Kochi city tops cases, Kerala high court asks if a plan is in place
1 2 3 4 Kochi: The Kerala high court on Thursday orally asked the state govt whether there is any proposed action plan to curb the growing menace of drug use among children in Ernakulam city. The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C Jayachandran made the query while considering a batch of petitions, including one filed by Sumi Joseph of Ernakulam — a mother of school-going children — as well as Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) and others, seeking effective state intervention on the issue. According to an affidavit filed by the deputy secretary of the home department -- which included data from 2015 to 2024 -- Ernakulam city recorded the highest number of such cases, 53. Kottayam followed with 21 cases, Kozhikode city reported 12, Thrissur rural 9, Alappuzha 7 and Idukki 5. No cases were registered in Thiruvananthapuram city, Kollam city, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kannur (city and rural) or Kasaragod during this period. After examining the data and affidavit, the division bench observed that the authorities must focus their immediate attention on Ernakulam city. The court accordingly directed the Kochi city police commissioner to appear — either physically or virtually — by the next posting date to provide suggestions for a proposed action plan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The court also noted the lack of qualitative analysis in the affidavit such as studies identifying trends or reasons behind the data and therefore sought the assistance of a senior police officer to focus specifically on Ernakulam. Additionally, the petitioner's counsel submitted that, according to their own findings, the situation in Ernakulam city is even more severe than the data suggests. The petitioner has collected relevant material, which will be handed over to the Kochi city police commissioner. The affidavit filed by home department deputy secretary T S Sindhu further stated that the special drive titled Operation D-Hunt — led by the Ernakulam rural district police chief — is progressing vigorously across the state to combat the drug menace. The drive has resulted in significant seizures and is part of a multi-pronged strategy. So far, Janamaithri beat officers have identified 308 drug- or substance-addicted children. Besides, 341 children and adolescents have received counselling services, 112 have undergone de-addiction treatment and 142 have accessed teleconsulting services through the Chiri helpdesk which handles children's grievances and complaints. Additionally, 478 children have availed themselves of services offered by DDAD (digital de-addiction), DCRC (domestic conflict resolution centre) and 'Koottu' counsellors or psychologists during the past decade, the affidavit said.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Time of India
Dansaf seizes 10kg ganja in Kallambalam; 1 arrested
T'puram: A major consignment of ganja smuggled on a two-wheeler was intercepted and seized by District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (Dansaf) near Kallambalam on Sunday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The accused Arun Prakash, 42, is a native of Thannikuzhi in Balaramapuram. Prakash was caught red-handed transporting over 10kg of ganja concealed in two large travel bags on his two-wheeler. He was en route to Thiruvananthapuram from Andhra Pradesh when Dansaf officials nabbed him near Thattupalam area of Kallambalam. The operation was the culmination of days of surveillance. Acting on a tip-off, Dansaf team tracked Prakash's vehicle and executed a high-risk stop to detain him. Police sources confirmed that Prakash is a habitual offender, previously serving four and a half years in Visakhapatnam central jail for a case. After completing his sentence in Andhra Pradesh, he was again arrested in Kerala for a similar offence and spent 60 days in jail before securing bail. This fresh attempt at smuggling comes shortly after his release. The latest arrest was made under the ongoing 'Operation D-Hunt', a district-wide crackdown on drug trafficking, led by rural district police chief Sudarshan. Authorities suspect a larger interstate smuggling network may be involved and are currently interrogating Prakash for more details. Further investigations are underway to trace the source and possible recipients of the seized contraband. The accused was remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.
