Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced a statewide anti-narcotics campaign targeting drug syndicates
May 23, 2026: Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday announced a major anti-narcotics campaign titled “Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt” aimed at dismantling drug syndicates and curbing the spread of narcotics across Kerala. The initiative was unveiled after a high-level meeting with senior police officers at the Police Headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.
The special drive will begin on June 1, coinciding with the reopening of schools after summer vacation. Chennithala said the operation would focus on eliminating drug distribution networks, particularly around educational institutions, and warned of strict action against those selling tobacco products and narcotic substances near schools. He described synthetic drugs as a growing threat in Kerala and said all individuals linked to narcotics activities would be brought under police surveillance through intelligence-based and data-driven operations.
The Home Minister also announced a series of reforms to improve policing and public accessibility in the state. He said all 484 police stations in Kerala would be transformed into people-friendly service centres, with emphasis on courteous public interaction, cleanliness and efficient handling of complaints. Chennithala further said the government would strengthen measures against crimes targeting women and children, enhance Janamaithri policing, use technology to tackle cybercrime and road accidents, and revise police training systems as part of broader modernisation efforts.