A significant anti-narcotics operation conducted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Kerala resulted in the confiscation of over 24 kg of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The operation, named ‘Operation Chakravyuh’, led to the seizure of methaqualone, methamphetamine, and hashish oil in coordinated actions at Kochi, Malappuram, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Five individuals, including key operatives associated with trafficking networks, were apprehended under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The DRI revealed that the contraband was being smuggled through various channels such as passenger baggage, courier consignments, and outbound export cargo, indicating the sophisticated methods employed by drug traffickers.
The recent crackdown coincides with the Kerala government’s intensified efforts against narcotics and substance abuse. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, in the policy address at the Assembly session, announced a comprehensive revamp of the Excise Department to combat organized drug networks and safeguard vulnerable segments of society.
The restructured Excise Department will leverage technology and intelligence to disrupt narcotics supply chains, with plans for digital surveillance tools, cyber-monitoring systems, enhanced intelligence networks, and specialized enforcement capabilities. A statewide anti-drug initiative involving multiple departments will kick off with the new academic year, focusing on shielding children and youth from substance abuse.
Kerala’s anti-drug strategy will emphasize robust enforcement against traffickers, sustained awareness campaigns to curb demand, and a rehabilitation-centric public health approach for individuals grappling with addiction. The government has pledged a zero-tolerance stance towards narcotic mafias and criminal networks, aligning with the intensified fight against drugs in the state.
