Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is preparing to roll out the next phase of "Operation Toofan," its extensive anti-narcotics campaign, in a bid to completely choke off drug trafficking routes into the state. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced on Friday that the upcoming crackdown will be executed in close coordination with central enforcement agencies and the police chiefs of neighbouring southern states.

The Home Minister characterised the upcoming initiative as a massive inter-agency crackdown designed to dismantle the networks exploited by drug syndicates. The strategy involves heavily fortifying surveillance across Kerala’s borders and its entire transit infrastructure.

"The next phase of Operation Toofan will be a major coordinated exercise involving central agencies and the DGPs of southern states. The aim is to seal all loopholes through which drugs are entering Kerala," Chennithala stated during a press conference.

The state's ultimate objective remains the total eradication of narcotics. To achieve this, the minister noted that law enforcement will intensify monitoring across all potential supply lines, including road, rail, air, and maritime routes.

However, enforcement agencies are facing evolving challenges. Chennithala pointed out that since the initial launch of Operation Toofan, traffickers have rapidly shifted their tactics to bypass traditional checkpoints. Smugglers are increasingly exploiting digital spaces, routing contraband through online platforms and commercial courier services. Additionally, peddlers have resorted to discarding drug consignments from moving trains just before reaching major stations to evade railway police.

Also read: Operation Toofan: Drug peddlers change tactics; use friends' SIM cards, hidden drop points

The minister also sounded the alarm over a disturbing trend involving the diversion of pharmaceutical drugs, noting that critical prescription medications—including those intended for oncology patients—are being diverted into the grey market for substance abuse.

Reiterating that no prescription-only medication should be dispensed without legitimate medical authorisation, Chennithala called upon pharmacy owners to strictly monitor their sales. He added that he has already held high-level talks with the Health Minister regarding the crisis, indicating that a joint enforcement drive between the home and health departments would be launched, if required, to curb the misuse of prescription medicines. (PTI)