A police crackdown on suspected drug dealers is facing stiff resistance

Alleged attacks by suspected drug traffickers escalate during Operation Toofan, forcing police to change their operational strategy. Cops are more cautious as resistance to drug crackdowns has intensified.

Police sources said the cyber cell has already identified several persons who were in touch with inter-state and inter-district synthetic drug dealers through analysis of detailed call records with the support of Cyberdome officials.

A senior officer of the anti-narcotics unit said the drug smugglers were trying to create fear by launching counter-attacks on police personnel to weaken the intensified crackdown. He added that the state police chief and district police chiefs will be closely monitoring the situation while also keeping an eye on those inciting violence to intimidate officials.

There have been three major incidents in Kozhikode district in the last one month with the suspects being nabbed within days of each incident. Some of those who allegedly conspired against the bailiffs are facing investigations.

“Cases of attacks on police officers on duty and the spreading of false information to mislead the public during enforcement actions are common. Even if police officers know how to deal with such tactics, the public are often unaware of them and may end up supporting drug traffickers without realizing how easily the facts can be manipulated,” said a shadow patrol inspector. He added that the patrol squads will receive support from the district-level strike squad in such situations to ensure adequate manpower to deal with critical situations at any time.

Officers from the district’s Anti-Drug Special Action Force said round-the-clock vigilance is now in place with a greater focus on checking more vehicles during blitz checks on highways and other identified stretches. They added that changing hotspots are identified and mapped every day to facilitate surveillance by law enforcement officers and plainclothes policemen who are part of special forces under various police stations.

In a stepped-up crackdown, District Superintendents of Police, Kozhikode City and Kozhikode Rural have directed all police stations to immediately report incidents of attacks on police personnel on duty and take swift action to identify and apprehend those responsible, to boost confidence in law enforcement. A meeting of Station House Officers in the city and rural areas of the district will also be convened soon to review the progress of the enforcement drives and discuss the problems faced by the units to facilitate immediate remedial action.

Published – 9 Jul 2026 0:05 AM IST