As the Ernakulam Rural police continued to crack down on drug trafficking and related offences, as many as 1,820 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and 1,980 persons were arrested in that connection during the 10-month period from January to November this year.
Around 260 kg of ganja and 2.5 kg of MDMA were seized during the period. Of the ganja seized, 100 kg were seized in a single case registered by the Thadiyittaparambu police. Eleven persons were arrested in that connection. Operation Clean, a predominantly an anti-drug campaign of the police initiated by District Police Chief (Ernakulam Rural) Vaibhav Saxena has been instrumental in maintaining strict enforcement round the year.
The rural police have increasingly invoked the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act as an effective deterrent to deal with the drug menace. Twelve persons have been arrested under the Act till November.
Around 77 grams of heroin oil, 180 grams of brown sugar, 10 LSD stamps, 7 grams of methamphetamine, and 1,550 ganja beedis were also seized during the period. Thirteen ganja plants and 220 grams of heroin were also among the seizures.
Mr. Saxena said that there will be no let up in the enforcement drive against drug trafficking. “We will embark on awareness campaigns, including on social media, to effectively deal with the menace,” he added.
In one of the biggest heroin seizures during the period, drugs worth ₹20 lakhs were reportedly seized, and three persons from Assam were arrested in Kalady. The investigation into the case allegedly revealed a novel modus operandi deployed by the accused to avoid getting caught by the police.
They reportedly transported heroin by train to Thrissur before switching to buses to smuggle the drug to Kalady, hoping it would help them evade the police.
Published – December 22, 2024 12:48 am IST