18 kg of suspected hybrid ganja seized in Kerala originates from outside India, says DIG

The 18 kg of suspected hybrid ganja seized by the Ernakulam Rural District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force in Kerala on Wednesday originated outside India and had a street value of about ₹18 crore, said GH Yathish Chandra, Ernakulam Range DIG.

At a press conference at the rural police headquarters in Aluva on Thursday, Mr. Chandra said the police already had information about the source of the drug, the route it took and the people involved, but declined to divulge details.

When asked if the shipment came from Thailand, he said that “such drugs usually came from there, although the exact location will be confirmed by questioning”.

Two arrested

A team led by District Superintendent of Police (Ernakulam Rural) PS Sudarshan and Perumbavur ASP Hardik Meena led to the arrest of two accused. The first accused has been identified as Ayush, a native of Arukad in Vypeen, and his wife Anakha. Police initially recovered 1.25 kg of suspected hybrid ganja from the scooter Ayush was riding. Further questioning led to searches of the apartment in Kunnuvazhi where he lived, leading to the recovery of another 16.50 kg of contraband and the arrest of his wife. Their antecedents are being verified to see if they were previously involved in distribution, although initial checks have turned up nothing.

Mr Chandra said the couple rented the flat a fortnight ago as part of a drug deal. “It was definitely the wholesalers. They couldn’t have arranged such a huge amount by themselves and there are people above and below them. There is certainly a network involved and we are piecing together its pyramid structure to identify those at different levels, including retailers and users,” he said.

“The seizure was the result of a 14-day undercover operation which culminated in a tip-off. It is one of the biggest seizures under the ongoing drug campaign Operation Toofan,” said Mr Chandra.

He added that the Ernakulam police line is building a “pyramid structure” complete with a database of users, retailers, wholesalers and top suppliers in and outside Kerala to strengthen the fight against drugs. “Our aim is not to victimize drug users. They should get rid of their addiction. Our target is door-to-door sellers and networks involved in the drug trade,” Mr Chandra said.

Published – 25 June 2026 11:40 AM IST