The police tightened control over drugs, banned tobacco products in West Zone neighborhoods

A weekend special drive by the police against narcotic and prohibited tobacco products in eight districts of the Western Zone from July 3 to 5 disrupted their inflow and circulation.

The seized drugs include 86 kg of ganja worth ₹43 lakh, 80 grams of cocaine worth ₹40 lakh and two grams of methamphetamine worth ₹6,000. The confiscated prohibited tobacco products represented 3.15 tons.

“The drive reflects the Chief Minister’s increased focus on cracking down on drugs and banned tobacco products. The large amount of contraband seized during the special drive has had an impressive impact. The police could also crack down on various types of drugs,” RV Ramya Bharathi, Inspector General of Police (West Zone), told The Hindu.

Police have increased vigilance and vehicle checks at 37 interstate borders in the western zone. Small roads used by smugglers to bypass the main checkpoints are also under police surveillance, she said.

In Krishnagiri district, on July 4, police seized 1 tonne of banned tobacco products from a goods carrier in Tiruchi, which were smuggled from Karnataka hidden under sacks of onions.

“There are nine inter-state check posts – seven along the Karnataka border and two along Andhra Pradesh. Vehicle checks have been stepped up at these check posts,” Krishnagiri District Superintendent of Police (SP) GS Anitha said.

According to her, the police carried out surprise checks in places where migrant workers live in large numbers.

Coimbatore District SP A. Pavan Kumar Reddy said surprise checks were conducted in Perur and Karumathampatti sub-divisions, which involved quarters and residences of migrant workers and college students. According to him, up to 35 shops where prohibited tobacco products were sold were sealed.

In Namakkal district, 1,155 kg of gutkha stored in a warehouse was seized on the night of July 4. Another 700 kg was seized in Pallipalayam in June.

“More attention is being given to places like Tiruchengode and Pallipalayam where there is a high population of migrant workers. As many as 47 found shops selling gutkha have been sealed for this year in coordination with FSSAI. Efforts are on to close more shops after seizure during the special drive,” the SP said. Yadav Girish from Namakkal district Ashok.

Shristi Singh of Tiruppur district said that in the last two weeks, 56 persons have been arrested in 53 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. As many as 94 people were arrested under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) for possession and sale of tobacco products during the said period, she said.

Published – 06 Jul 2026 23:25 IST