A coordinated, multi-agency joint inspection was carried out in Kochi city on Sunday to tackle the rampant abuse and sale of narcotic substances. The operation was conducted by the city police, excise department, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), customs, railway police, and a dog squad.
Raids were conducted after pinpointing specific locations suspected of harboring drug supplies for sale. As a result, nine cases were registered, and 13 individuals were arrested. Among those arrested were Subin (26) of Idukki and Bijin Abraham (21) of Pathanamthitta, who were caught near a hotel on SRM Road with 31.46g of MDMA. Roshan (20) and Najmal (24) from Kollam were apprehended near a lodge in Palarivattom with 1.53g of MDMA and 1.5g of ganja.
The operation was part of a larger effort to curb the use and trafficking of narcotics in the city. Officials emphasized that the raid specifically targeted individuals with a history of involvement in drug-related offenses, including those recently released from prison after facing narcotic-related charges. Those suspected of supplying drugs to the city were also under surveillance. Locations where drugs were believed to be handed over, as well as key railway stations in the city, were inspected during the operation.
The raid was led by Kochi city police commissioner Putta Vimaladitya, DCP Ashwathy Jiji, narcotic cell ACP Abdul Salam, customs commissioner Padmavathy, customs superintendent Vikesh Kumar, NCB assistant director Venugopal, excise assistant commissioner Sudheer, and railway police DSP George Joseph.
