Kerala warns of strict action against drug mafia for attacking police

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala warned of strict legal action against drug mafia members attacking police or obstructing anti-narcotics operations. He said Operation Toofan has significantly weakened drug networks through coordinated enforcement, awareness campaigns and rehabilitation initiatives

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday warned of stringent action against drug mafia members who attack police personnel. The minister said the government would not tolerate any attempt to obstruct law enforcement officials engaged in anti-drug operations.

The state government’s anti-narcotics drive, Operation Toofan, had dealt a major blow to the drug mafia in Kerala, he told reporters here. “The entire police machinery, from constables to the DGP, is working in a coordinated manner. The drug mafia has been weakened considerably,” Chennithala said.

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Referring to recent incidents in which police personnel were allegedly attacked during raids and inspections, the minister said such a trend would not be allowed to continue.

“Under no circumstances will we permit police duty to be obstructed. Those who attack police or excise officials or interfere with their duties will face strict legal action. I am issuing a clear warning that nobody will be spared,” he said.

On reports of migrant workers being involved in drug-related cases in Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, Chennithala said only a section of them was allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

“I don’t think everybody is involved. Some migrant workers are involved in drug trafficking. I personally visited their workplaces, interacted with them and urged them to stay away from drug use. I believe most of them have now come out of it,” the minister said.

The state government launched “Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt” on June 2 as a statewide anti-narcotics campaign to crack down on drug trafficking and abuse through a combination of intensified enforcement, public awareness and rehabilitation measures. The initiative is being implemented jointly by the police, excise, health and education departments.