36 arrests in a day as Kochi city police launch ‘Operation Toofan’

The Kochi city police on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) registered 33 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act during a series of raids as part of the launch of Operation ‘Toofan: The Narco Hunt’, a nationwide drive to eradicate the drug menace.

As many as 36 accused, including alleged drug peddlers and drug users, were arrested in raids conducted at 90 locations in a single day. Seven cases under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) were also registered during the drive.

Police said the biggest seizure during the day’s drive was at Kollamkudi Mugal near Thrikkakara. Three young men were arrested with 437.28 grams of suspected MDMA from the apartment there. The accused are Arjun Variyath, 30, of Kaithakuzhi, Palakkad; Ratheesh Anchampura, 33, of Cherkkala, Kasaragod; and Asif Kannoth, 36, of Kalamassera, Kochi.

The District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Unit led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Narcotics Cell) TD Sunilkumar along with teams from various police stations conducted the raids.

“A special unit has been deployed to track drug dealers and drug users as part of Operation Toofan. Premises of educational institutions, luxury hotels and DJ venues will be under strict surveillance,” the police said in a statement.

Chief Minister VD Satheesan officially launched Operation Toofan in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday (June 2, 2026). Inspector General (Intelligence) Putta Vimaladitya has been appointed as the state nodal officer for the project.

Published – 03 Jun 2026 21:32 IST