Operation Toofan: Kerala CM to launch anti-narcotics drive on June 2

T’puram: Chief minister V D Satheesan will inaugurate the state-level launch of ‘Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt’, a major anti-drug campaign spearheaded by the home department on Tuesday. Home minister Ramesh Chennithala will preside over the inaugural function, which will be held at Cotton Hill School in Thiruvananthapuram.

Described as the largest anti-narcotics operation in south India, Operation Toofan aims to strengthen legal action against drug trafficking organizations while building a broad-based public movement against substance abuse through community participation. The home department will coordinate efforts among various govt departments to implement the project.

The programme has been designed to address the rapid spread of synthetic drugs using technology-driven strategies suited to the digital era. Authorities said the initiative seeks not only to send a strong warning to drug trafficking networks but also to enhance public confidence in law enforcement. Modern investigative techniques and cooperation with police and home departments across south Indian states will form a key part of the operation.

As part of the initiative, the govt plans to establish an extensive digital surveillance network, including mobile applications and WhatsApp chatbots, allowing citizens to anonymously share information about drug-related activities. Wastewater analysis in educational institutions and residential areas will be used to identify drug-use hotspots, while drone-assisted smart patrolling will be introduced in vulnerable locations.

The home department also intends to strengthen anti-drug awareness through a special school curriculum and by confiscating assets linked to drug mafias. Officials said the broader objective is to transform the fight against narcotics into a people’s movement.

Special measures will be undertaken to identify and dismantle networks that target children for drug abuse. Drug users, traffickers, suppliers and promoters will be placed under strict surveillance. Kerala Police will work closely with law enforcement agencies in other states to combat inter-state drug syndicates.

Authorities will also intensify monitoring to curb the flow of chemical and synthetic narcotics, as well as hybrid cannabis. Strict action has been proposed against tobacco sales near schools and against the use and distribution of narcotics in venues such as luxury hotels and DJ parties.