Anti-narcotics squads and local police have placed several cottages and isolated rental facilities under surveillance in Kozhikode district after it was reported that drug peddlers were using them to store smuggled synthetic narcotics. Police said many such facilities do not maintain mandatory visitor registers or properly verify guests’ identities as required by law.
Police officers involved in recent inspections said several cases were found where drug dealers and users were caught with large quantities of contraband from these locations. In many recent cases, migrant transporters have been found to be using such facilities as temporary shelters, police said.
“Managers of lodges and rental facilities are required by law to maintain authentic registers of visitors for future reference. They are also required to verify identity documents and report suspicious persons to the police,” said a drug squad officer, adding that managers were often unaware of these obligations.
The officer said confiscation of narcotics from such premises could also expose the owners to legal action. “In some cases, the premises have even been used for drug abuse. Blitz inspections are now being conducted across the state to curb such practices,” he said.
According to officers of the district’s anti-narcotics special action unit, a quick check at a suspected facility near Govindapuram last month led to the seizure of 710 grams of MDMA. A 36-year-old man suspected of being a key link between interstate drug traffickers was also arrested in connection with the case.
In another incident a few days later, police arrested four youths from a rented facility in Nadakkavu where they were allegedly packing narcotics for local distribution. Police sources said the gang primarily targeted school and college students in Kozhikode city.
In addition to cheap landlords, police have also stepped up surveillance of rural party centers, including homestays and resorts where weekend get-togethers with out-of-state guests are said to take place. Officers said they maintain regular contact with operators of such establishments to monitor suspicious activity and patrons.
Published – 08 Feb 2026 20:14 IST
