Home / Crime and Justice / Ernakulam Sees Drug Cases Surge: Police Book 3,328 NDPS Act Violations
Ernakulam Sees Drug Cases Surge: Police Book 3,328 NDPS Act Violations
18 Nov
Summary
- Drug cases in Ernakulam Rural have surged to 3,328 this year, up from 2,037 last year.
- Nearly 500 kg of suspected ganja seized, nearly doubling last year's haul.
- Operation Punarjani targets drug use and peddling among migrant populations.
Ernakulam Rural police have registered a notable increase in drug-related offenses, with 3,328 cases filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act this year until October. This marks a significant surge compared to the 2,037 cases recorded throughout the entirety of the previous year. Concurrently, 3,521 individuals have been apprehended for alleged drug offenses in the current year, a rise from the 2,217 arrests made last year.
The police have confiscated close to 500 kg of suspected ganja this year, more than double the 270 kg seized last year. Recent operations include the arrest of four migrant laborers from Odisha with nearly 25 kg of suspected ganja at Aluva railway station. The drugs were reportedly sourced from Odisha for distribution in the Aluva area.
Amid growing concerns about drug prevalence, the Rural police attribute the rise in cases and arrests to enhanced surveillance and preventive measures. To address the issue, particularly among migrant populations, an awareness and rehabilitation initiative named 'Operation Punarjani' has been launched, led by District Police Chief M. Hemalatha.
