A permanent interstate coordination mechanism involving the police forces of southern Indian States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry will be established to strengthen anti-drug surveillance in the region.
Each State and Central enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau, Customs, and Intelligence Bureau, will also appoint a senior nodal officer for continuous intelligence sharing and joint operations, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced on Friday (July 10, 2026) after chairing a high-level meeting of senior police officials on the State’s ongoing anti-drugs campaign Operation Toofan in Thiruvananthapuram.
Addressing the media, Mr. Chennithala said every participating State would nominate a nodal officer of at least Superintendent of Police (SP) rank to ensure regular exchange of operational information and coordinated action against interstate narcotics networks. The officers would periodically review intelligence inputs and enforcement strategies, while similar coordination meetings would be convened regularly to sustain joint action against drug trafficking.
He said Operation Toofan is set to move into a larger coordinated phase involving Central agencies and police forces across southern India, with the objective of completely blocking the entry of narcotics into Kerala. The State government plans to eliminate every possible route used by traffickers by strengthening surveillance along State borders and tightening checks on buses, trains, aircraft and boats.
New methods
The meeting also discussed new methods adopted by drug traffickers, including online transactions, courier services and the misuse of food delivery platforms. Traffickers were also using methods such as dropping narcotics from moving trains before they reached stations to avoid detection, the Minister said.
He also cautioned medical shop owners against dispensing medicines without valid prescriptions as he cited intelligence reports of prescription drugs, including certain medicines used in cancer treatment, being diverted for illegal use due to the shortage of narcotic substances. He said he has taken up the issue with the Health Minister and a joint enforcement drive could be launched if required.
As part of strengthening prosecution, the State government will operationalise special courts for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) cases in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram. Moreover, the Centre has sought proposals for establishing ten more NDPS courts in the State.
Besides, specialised narcotic units headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy.SPs) have been operationalised in all 20 police districts following the launch of Operation Toofan. The units, which had been earlier underutilised, will be reinforced with additional personnel, vehicles and infrastructure. A dedicated anti-narcotics task force will also be created to ensure sustained enforcement without affecting the force’s routine law and order responsibilities.
Mr. Chennithala also informed that Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge will visit Kerala on July 15 for further discussions on coordination action between the two States. The Minister added that he would personally meet the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to seek their support for the campaign.
Published – July 10, 2026 05:43 pm IST
