Police preparing data on alleged overseas drug suppliers, says IG

Kerala police have started preparing a database of fugitives and alleged drug suppliers operating from abroad as part of efforts to bust narcotics networks, Inspector General (IG) Putta Vimaladitya said.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday (August 31), Mr. Vimaladitya, who is also the nodal officer of the state’s anti-drug campaign ‘Operation Toofan’, confirmed that the police team has been coordinating with central investigative agencies to track down and bring back those wanted in various drug-trafficking cases.

Investigators are also looking into suspected international supply chains, with Afghanistan, Oman and Thailand among the countries, he said.

According to Mr. Vimaladitya, the operation has so far resulted in 165 cases involving commercial quantities of narcotics and 395 cases involving intermediate quantities. Nearly 10,100 persons have been arrested so far under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, he explained.

Enumerating the measures taken by the police in the special drive, he pointed out that the police could initiate preventive proceedings against a number of persons under the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act. The key objective of the operation remains to identify those behind the supply of narcotics, rather than limiting the investigation to those caught with the substances, the officer said.

The officer also revealed that investigations into 32 cases led police to alleged key players in the supply chain, including financiers and transporters.

A senior police officer welcomed the public support for the Toofan campaign, saying more than 10,000 calls had been received from members of the public reporting suspicious drug-related activities in their respective areas. He disclosed that the inputs were looked into and action was taken whenever required.

He said counseling and rehabilitation initiatives would be launched next month.

Published – 31 Aug 2026 21:16 IST