Kerala’s Operation Toofan, a statewide campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse, has registered more than 9,000 cases and resulted in nearly 9,800 arrests since its launch. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has positioned the campaign as a major priority of the V.D. Satheesan government, with the initiative combining police enforcement with public awareness and preventive measures. The latest statewide operation on Saturday added 38 cases and 38 arrests.

According to the latest figures, authorities have registered 9,085 cases and made 9,795 arrests under the campaign so far. Seizures include 7,460.567 grams of MDMA, 961.450 kg of ganja and 4,720.909 grams of hashish oil. The latest cases included offences involving possession of small and medium quantities of narcotics, along with cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act.

Operation Toofan was launched against the backdrop of growing concern over drug use among young people and the reported involvement of some youngsters in carrying narcotics. Chennithala has sought to broaden the campaign beyond conventional policing by encouraging communities, families and educational institutions to participate in efforts to prevent substance abuse. The initiative has included interactions with people across the state and the creation of a network of volunteers known as ‘Toofan Warriors’.

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The campaign has also placed significant emphasis on awareness and counselling. Kerala Police conducted 65 awareness classes across the state on a single day, taking the cumulative number of such sessions to 8,994. In addition, 564 counselling sessions have been held, while school and college Protection Groups have organised 6,482 awareness programmes. The latest enforcement round also resulted in the seizure of 3.343 kg of ganja.

Officials are using the campaign to pursue both supply-side enforcement and measures aimed at reducing demand. The approach reflects the government's view that tackling drug abuse requires intervention not only through arrests and seizures but also through awareness programmes and support for vulnerable students and young people. The involvement of educational institutions and community groups is intended to strengthen prevention efforts.

Three months into the Satheesan government, Operation Toofan has become one of its most visible public-impact initiatives. The scale of the cases, arrests and seizures indicates an extensive enforcement effort, although the figures alone do not establish the campaign’s long-term impact on drug use or trafficking. The government is expected to continue combining police action with awareness and counselling as it seeks to address Kerala’s drug-related concerns.

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