THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, September 18, 2026: The Kerala government has constituted a specialised Anti-Narcotics Investigation Team to strengthen the ongoing Operation Toofan and investigate high-value drug trafficking cases with interstate and international links. The new team began functioning on Friday, according to Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
The specialised team will operate through three regional units based in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode. Inspector General Putta Vimaladitya, the nodal officer for Operation Toofan, will head the new investigation team.
Each unit will include a Deputy Superintendent of Police, two Circle Inspectors, two Sub-Inspectors and supporting police personnel. The teams will focus on major narcotics cases, tracing drug sources, identifying key members of trafficking networks and investigating interstate and international connections.
The move comes as Kerala prepares to enter the second phase of Operation Toofan, with the next phase scheduled to begin on September 28. Officials have said the campaign will increasingly focus not only on disrupting drug supply networks but also on reducing demand and supporting rehabilitation.
According to figures released by the Home Minister, 10,918 cases have been registered and 11,776 people arrested under Operation Toofan so far. Authorities have reported seizures including MDMA, cannabis, heroin, cocaine, brown sugar and hashish oil.
The government has also announced plans to extend the campaign to the community level through Toofan Jana Jagratha Committees. These ward-level groups are expected to involve local representatives and community organisations in awareness, early intervention and support for people affected by substance abuse.
The second phase is also expected to give greater attention to rehabilitation. Authorities have said that hospitals will participate in Toofan Care, while a rehabilitation protocol is being developed with the Indian Medical Association.
The formation of the specialised investigation team marks another step in Kerala’s ongoing efforts to target organised narcotics networks while combining enforcement with prevention, community awareness and rehabilitation measures.
