“Operation Toofan”: DANSAF, police intensify checks on interstate trucks along highways

The District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Unit (DANSAF) and the police have intensified checks on interstate trucks and lorries along major transit corridors to curb the movement of narcotics through commercial transport networks. The move is part of the ongoing “Operation Toofan”, a nationwide anti-drug campaign.

Special forces, including civilians and shadow patrol units, have been deployed at strategic locations along national and state highways and at border crossings to conduct checks. The operation is being carried out in coordination with the excise and forest departments and highway patrols.

According to police sources, investigations have revealed that some drivers are allegedly using return journeys after delivery to transport contraband for business networks. A temporary accommodation facility, where truck drivers stay, also came under police supervision

A senior police officer from the anti-narcotics unit said drivers involved in such activities were often lured by the rewards offered by the gangs.

Police sources also revealed that there have been several instances of suspects abandoning vehicles with interstate clearance and fleeing after spotting enforcement checks. Most of the cases were allegedly linked to suspected ganja smuggling, they added. As part of the action, law enforcement agencies collected details of truck drivers who had previously been arrested and convicted in drug-trafficking cases and who had since ended up in prison. Their activity is also monitored as part of preventive surveillance measures.

“Operation Toofan, which was launched to strengthen the state’s anti-drug campaign, combines intelligence gathering, targeted enforcement and interagency coordination to disrupt the networks of human traffickers. More such targeted actions are in play to prevent young people from falling into their clutches,” said a deputy police commissioner involved in coordinating nationwide blitz inspections in the area. He added that inspections would continue in the coming weeks with the deployment of additional squads, with special focus on inter-district and inter-state commercial vehicles.

Published – 21 Jun 2026 20:16 IST