Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of growing concerns regarding the threat of the drug mafia to society, as they tighten their grip over all sections, the Excise Department plans to unleash intense action against the menace. As part of this, the department has submitted a request to place 25 individuals, suspected of being regular drug traffickers, under preventive detention. It is expected that the order for four of them will come soon.

Under the preventive detention provision, individuals can be detained for up to two years without trial. A list of 65 people suspected of being involved in large-scale drug trafficking into the state has also been prepared.

The preventive detention is being carried out under the PIT NDPS Act (Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances). Since this law has rarely been enforced, only one person has so far been detained under it. The order, issued by the Home Secretary based on the Excise Department’s request, will be reviewed by a committee of High Court judges before final approval.

The associates of these suspects are also under surveillance. Phone calls, travel, and meetings are being monitored. Drugs are being brought into the state through other members of the network after transactions take place outside the state. Those included in the list are believed to have connections with major external distributors. External suspects are being monitored with the help of police and excise forces from other states.

Apart from this, 237 individuals who had jumped bail and gone into hiding were recently apprehended. The second phase of ‘Operation Clean State’ will begin on Monday to intensify inspections. In the past three months, 3,101 people have been arrested in connection with 3,096 NDPS cases.

Seized substances include 1,082 kilograms of cannabis, 914 grams of MDMA, 177 grams of heroin, and 43.36 grams of brown sugar.