Kerala launches ‘Operation Toofan’ to fight growing drug menace

‘Operation Toofan’ logo to be unveiled at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Cotton Hill, Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday | Photo credit: JAYAMOHAN A.

Emphasizing that the rapid spread of narcotics has become the single biggest challenge facing Kerala today, Chief Minister VD Satheesan officially launched ‘Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt’, an anti-narcotics drive by the Kerala Police, in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.

Addressing a large gathering at the Government Higher Secondary School for Girls, Cotton Hill, the Chief Minister warned that the hard-earned social progress of the state and its youth were under direct threat from the organized drug mafia.

He pointed out that Kerala, a state historically celebrated for its high literacy rate, health standards and progressive social indicators, is currently facing a severe drug epidemic.

Demographic dynamics

Keeping in view the changing demographic dynamics over the decades, the chief minister highlighted how the policy conversation has shifted from population control to harnessing the human capital of the state. He recalled that during his own school years, the curriculum focused heavily on family planning and population control to avoid resource crises.

“Today, however, the global economic focus is on the demographic dividend, which represents the immense creative and constructive potential of the population, where 60 to 65% are young people. While this youth demographic is supposed to be a fundamental milestone for the future of the state, narcotics have emerged as the primary weapon used to paralyze and destroy this potential,” he lamented.

Drawing a direct line between the abuse of synthetic drugs and the increasingly brutal nature of violent crime across the state, Mr. Satheesan said the crimes have become vicious because the perpetrators are under the strong influence of narcotics.

He pointed out that Operation Toofan is not just an isolated action by the Ministry of Home Affairs but a joint mission that also involves the Excise, General Education and Higher Education Departments, local authorities, parents of teachers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Implementation strategy

Its implementation strategy will rest on two key pillars – enforcement by the police and excise department, which would include uncompromising enforcement operations to dismantle the drug mafia network and supply chain, and awareness programs by teachers, parents, NGOs and various agencies.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala while delivering the presidential address said that Inspector General (Intelligence) Putta Vimaladitya has been appointed as the state nodal officer for Operation Toofan. Under his leadership, specialized branches of the police force, including the narcotics cell and the crime branch, from the state level to the district and local levels, will be activated for the mission.

He warned of strict disciplinary action against any police personnel found to be creating obstacles or misconduct in the campaign. He also explicitly warned the high-end entertainment and commercial sectors and called for an end to the use of intoxicants in five-star hotels and DJ parties.

The cyber cell has also been given special instructions to track down those who run businesses under the cover of the dark web.

He added that the Kerala Police has launched mobile applications to facilitate information sharing. He undertook that the names or details of the informants would never be disclosed under any circumstances.

General Education Minister N. Samsudheen, Transport Minister CP John, Excise Minister M. Liju, MP Shashi Tharoor and State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar were also present at the event.

Published – 02 Jun 2026 20:20 IST