With the support of anti-narcotics units and the police, investigations are underway into suspected attempts by drug addicts to establish contact with children housed in juvenile homes and other government shelters in Kozhikode district.
The action follows the recent rescue of a missing 16-year-old boy from the company of a gang of suspected drug smugglers in the city. Police sources said the development has raised serious concerns about possible targeting of vulnerable children by drug traffickers.
“The teenager, who went missing from a juvenile home on January 23, was traced only after three days. He was found in the company of a gang of drug peddlers near the Kozhikode railway station,” said a police official attached to the anti-narcotics unit. He added that the boy was saved due to the timely intervention of the District Anti-Drug Special Forces (DANSAF).
Police sources said that more than five cases of missing from various shelters in Kozhikode have been reported in the last five years. However, the first case of tracking down a runaway child in the company of drug traffickers was reported on January 26, prompting a comprehensive investigation, they added.
A police official from Chevayur station said the intensified investigation was aimed at preventing attempts by drug traffickers to use children as carriers for clandestine transactions. He added that some of the children placed in juvenile homes had previous run-ins with the law, making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
Police sources at DANSAF said drug smugglers are increasingly targeting students to expand their illegal operations. They said there were practical limitations to constantly screening schoolchildren or checking their bags. Parents and caregivers should realize the seriousness of the situation and act immediately, they added.
The Child Protection Committee and the Juvenile Justice Council have already recommended strict measures to ensure child protection and modernize existing facilities. Similarly, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued special instructions to increase the number of caretakers in children’s homes to strengthen security measures.
Published – 15 Feb 2026 19:43 IST