The Ernakulam Rural Police have seized over 100 kg of suspected ganja in separate incidents within just three weeks, indicating that the narcotic substance continues to flow into suburban areas despite strict measures by enforcement agencies.
The police seized 133 kg of suspected ganja in six major drug hauls reported recently. The total quantity of suspected ganja seized by the Rural police in 2025 stands at 603 kg.
In the latest incident, three men from Murshidabad in West Bengal were arrested by a special team led by Perumbavoor Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Hardik Meena with 32 kg of suspected ganja. They were nabbed at Kunnuvazhi near Marampilly while allegedly trafficking the substance in an autorickshaw from Aluva railway station, the police said.
The trio were arrested two days after five men from Murshidabad were nabbed with 30 kg of suspected ganja in a similar incident. They were arrested by the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (Ernakulam Rural), led by DySP (Narcotic Cell) J. Umeshkumar, along with the Puthencruz police.
Last month, a 25-year-old man from Murshidabad was arrested by the Thadiyittaparambu police with 51 kg of suspected ganja from a rented house at Vazhakkulam near Perumbavoor, in one of the biggest drug hauls reported this year so far.
‘Strict surveillance’
District Police Chief (Ernakulam Rural) K.S. Sudarshan attributed the frequent seizures to increased surveillance by the force. “We had recently called a meeting of the DANSAF teams in all five subdivisions within the rural limits and given them clear instructions. The teams have been told to ensure daily monitoring of suspected drug movements and detect the maximum number of cases, especially as the Assembly elections are fast approaching,” he said.
He added that migrants posing as labourers were involved in many such cases. “Landowners in and around Perumbavoor have been instructed to maintain a proper register of residents in their buildings. They have also been sensitised to the criminal liability they would have to bear if crimes such as drug peddling are reported from their premises,” he said.
Other recent seizures
While 16 kg of suspected ganja was seized from Sreemoolanagaram near Kalady, 10 kg was seized from Ramamangalam, and six kg from Kanjoor last month. In all the incidents, natives of West Bengal were arrested for alleged drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, the Excise department and the Railway Protection Force recently seized 18 kg of suspected ganja from three natives of Bihar at Aluva railway station. The forces also recovered 4.5 kg of suspected ganja abandoned on the railway platform.
Published – March 03, 2026 12:25 am IST
