Published Nov 05, 2026 | 2:51 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 05, 2026 | 2:51 PM
Operation Toofan
Narcotics worth more than ₹200 crore have been seized and over 15,000 people arrested under Keralam’s anti-drug drive, Operation Toofan, with the Centre offering support to expand the initiative under its Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign.
Operation Toofan was launched on 2 June, 2026. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced the figures while inaugurating the Toofan Jagaran awareness rally at Kotta Maithanam in Palakkad.
He also said that properties belonging to more than 40 individuals had been confiscated as part of the crackdown on the drug trade.
The initiative has also drawn the attention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah who appreciated the Keralam model of involving the public in the fight against narcotics and offered central assistance for its implementation.
The assurance came during a meeting between Chennithala and Shah, originally scheduled to discuss proposals for modernising the Kerala Police.
Shah indicated that Keralam would receive further assistance in line with the objectives of the Centre’s Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign.
Chennithala had earlier written to the Union Home Minister expressing his willingness to extend the Toofan model to other states and proposing a conference of state Home Ministers in Thiruvananthapuram.
Met Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji in Delhi and discussed key priorities of Keralam’s Home Department.
He appreciated the progress of Operation Toofan and indicated further support under the Centre’s Nasha Mukt Bharat framework.
I also submitted proposals on police modernisation, prison infrastructure and other requirements of Kerala Police.
The fight against narcotics needs sustained cooperation between the Centre and the States — and Keralam is ready to contribute its experience.
#OperationToofan #KeralamPolice
— Ramesh Chennithala (@chennithala) November 4, 2026
Giving details of the enforcement drive, Putta Vimaladitya IPS, Inspector General of Police and nodal officer of Operation Toofan, said the seizures included 28.659 kg of MDMA, nearly 1,960 kg of ganja, 7.26 kg of hashish oil, 778.309 grams of brown sugar, 1.22 kg of methamphetamine and 673.076 grams of heroin.
The haul also included cocaine, opium, charas, LSD stamps, Nitrazepam and other narcotic substances.
In addition, 10,341 items containing ganja and 8,682 ganja bidis were seized.
Raids and inspections have been carried out across the state as part of the operation.
The enforcement measures have extended beyond drug seizures.
Bonds have been executed in 1,584 cases under Section 34 of the NDPS Act, while 186 vehicles and 801 mobile phones have been seized.
As many as 148 bank accounts have been frozen, and proceedings have been initiated in 40 cases under Section 68F of the NDPS Act.
Red Corner Notices have been issued against four accused who fled abroad, while a Blue Corner Notice has been issued against another person.
Look Out Circulars have also been issued against 10 others.
It is being implemented through three components — Toofan Strike, Toofan Volunteers and Toofan Care.
While the first focuses on enforcement, the initiative also seeks to mobilise public participation and provide rehabilitation to people struggling with drug addiction.
The fight against drugs cannot end with arrests.
Through Operation Toofan, the Government is also strengthening prevention, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation— because real success lies not only in stopping supply, but also in reducing demand and rebuilding lives.
Stronger communities need earlier intervention and better recovery.
#OperationToofan #KeralaPolice
— Ramesh Chennithala (@chennithala) November 5, 2026
Chennithala said the second phase would extend the campaign to gram panchayats, municipalities and corporations.
Toofan Grama Sabhas will be organised in every ward to create awareness and strengthen community-level intervention.
Training will also be provided to local-level functionaries.
The government is also planning Toofan Eyes, a surveillance initiative under which CCTV cameras will be installed in government schools and linked to police stations.
Pointing to Palakkad’s vulnerability as a border district, Chennithala said attempts were being made to bring narcotics into Keralam from neighbouring states.
He claimed that drug sales were taking place mainly in Coimbatore and border areas rather than through direct sales within Keralam, and called for coordinated public action against the cross-border drug network.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
