Operation Toofan to trace drug money through UPI, crypto wallets
The Kerala government has launched "Operation Toofan," an anti-drug enforcement drive, to trace drug money through bank accounts, UPI transactions, and crypto wallets. The campaign aims to dismantle drug networks, targeting financiers and traffickers across various routes, including the dark web and interstate corridors, while also focusing on prevention and rehabilitation.
Why it matters
This initiative represents a significant effort by a state government to combat drug trafficking by leveraging advanced financial investigation techniques, including cryptocurrency tracing, and shifting towards a comprehensive strategy against organized drug crime.
Three months after the formal launch of the anti-drug enforcement drive, the Keralam government has framed guidelines for Operation Toofan, which has already achieved considerable success in the State.
Besides cracking down on drug rackets, the Kerala Police aims to trail narcotics money through bank accounts, UPI transactions and crypto wallets. Specialised teams will also target trafficking routes from the dark web to interstate rail corridors as part of the campaign.
The operational guidelines, approved by the Home Department, envisage a coordinated campaign combining intelligence-led enforcement, financial investigation, prevention, rehabilitation and community mobilisation.
The campaign was launched on June 2 with the key objective of curbing the use and distribution of narcotic drugs among school and college students, creating public awareness about drug abuse and rehabilitating drug-dependent persons through counselling and other support services.
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