Overseas drug links under Kerala Police scanner, says IG
The Kerala Police have launched 'Operation Toofan' to dismantle international narcotics networks by tracking fugitives and supply chains linked to countries like Afghanistan, Oman, and Thailand. The initiative has already led to over 10,000 arrests and relies on public cooperation to identify key financiers and traffickers.
Why it matters
This operation highlights the growing challenge of transnational drug trafficking and the shift in law enforcement strategy toward targeting high-level supply chain operators rather than just street-level dealers.
The Kerala Police have begun preparing a database of fugitives and alleged drug suppliers operating from outside the country as part of efforts to dismantle narcotics networks, Inspector General (IG) Putta Vimaladitya has said.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday (August 31), Mr. Vimaladitya, who is also the nodal officer for the State’s anti-narcotics campaign ‘Operation Toofan’, confirmed that the police team was coordinating with Central investigating agencies to trace and bring back those wanted in various drug trafficking cases.
Investigators are also examining suspected international supply chains, with Afghanistan, Oman, and Thailand figuring among countries whose links are being verified, he said.
According to Mr. Vimaladitya, the operation has so far resulted in 165 cases relating to commercial quantities of narcotic substances and 395 cases involving intermediate quantities. Nearly 10,100 persons have been arrested so far under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, he explained.
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