Over 15,700 arrested in Operation Toofan, Kerala Home Minister says

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala was speaking after laying foundation stones for a new police station and fire station at Mananthavady in Wayanad on November 9. Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Operation Toofan, a nationwide campaign launched by the Kerala Police five months ago to crack down on drug trafficking and substance abuse, will continue in full force until the drug mafia is rooted out of the state, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said.

He was speaking after laying the foundation stones for the new police station and fire station building at Mananthavady in Wayanad on Monday (November 9, 2026).

Declaring the campaign a success, Mr. Chennithala said 15,742 people were arrested and more than 13,500 cases were registered under Operation Toofan.

He said as many as 60 people involved in the illegal activity have been brought under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), while over 45 others have been remanded. Narcotics worth ₹200 crore, which were being smuggled into Kerala, were also seized and destroyed, Mr. Chennithala added.

The minister said the police have been directed to maintain strict vigilance against drug trade in coordination with their counterparts in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the two states sharing borders with Wayanad.

Mr. Chennithala said that the Kerala Police has become a role model for police forces across the country and is doing an excellent job in ensuring the safety of people’s lives and property. The government is fully committed to improving the infrastructure of the police and fire and rescue services, he said.

The police station building will be constructed at a cost of ₹2.7 crore, while the cost of the fire station is estimated at ₹3.12 crore.

Agriculture Minister T. Siddique and MLAs Usha Vijayan and IC Balakrishnan were present.

Published – 9 Nov 2026 21:15 IST