Southern States and Central Agencies Form Permanent Anti-Drug Coordination Network
Southern Indian states—Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana—and the Union Territory of Puducherry will establish a permanent interstate coordination mechanism to strengthen anti-drug surveillance. The network will include central enforcement agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau, Customs, and Intelligence Bureau.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced the initiative 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. Each participating state will nominate a nodal officer of at least Superintendent of Police rank to ensure regular exchange of operational information and coordinated action against interstate narcotics networks.
The officers will periodically review intelligence inputs and enforcement strategies. Similar coordination meetings will be convened regularly to sustain joint action against drug trafficking, Chennithala said. Operation Toofan is set to enter 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.
The meeting also discussed new methods adopted by drug traffickers, including online transactions, courier services, and the misuse of food delivery platforms. Traffickers have also been dropping narcotics from moving trains before they reach stations to avoid detection, the minister said. He cautioned medical shop owners against dispensing medicines without valid prescriptions, citing intelligence reports that prescription drugs—including certain medicines used in cancer treatment—are being diverted for illegal use due to a shortage of narcotic substances. Chennithala 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 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram. The Centre has sought proposals for establishing ten more NDPS courts in the state. Additionally, specialised narcotic units headed by Deputy Superintendents of Police have been activated in all 20 police districts following the launch of Operation Toofan. The units, previously 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.
Chennithala informed that Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge will visit Kerala on July 15 for further discussions on coordinated 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.
