The Kochi City police on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) registered 33 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act during a series of raids as part of the launch of ‘Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt’, a State-wide drive aimed at eliminating the drug menace.
As many as 36 accused, including alleged drug peddlers and users, were arrested during raids conducted at 90 locations in a single day. Seven cases were also registered under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) during the drive.
The police said the biggest seizure during the day-long drive was made at Kollamkudi Mugal near Thrikkakara. Three youths were arrested with 437.28 grams of suspected MDMA from an apartment there. The accused are Arjun Variyath, 30, of Kaithakuzhi, Palakkad; Ratheesh Anchampura, 33, of Cherkkala, Kasaragod; and Asif Kannoth, 36, of Kalamassery, Kochi.
The District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Narcotics Cell) T.D. Sunilkumar, along with teams from various police stations, conducted the raids.
“A special squad has been deployed to track drug peddlers and users as part of Operation Toofan. Premises of educational institutions, luxury hotels and DJ venues will be under strict surveillance,” the police said in a statement.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan officially launched the Operation Toofan in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday (June 2, 2026). Inspector General (Intelligence) Putta Vimaladitya has been appointed as the State nodal officer for the project.
Published – June 03, 2026 09:32 pm IST
