Every Family Must Become Part Of Operation Toofan: Kerala Minister

(MENAFN- IANS) Idukki, Sep 3 (IANS) The fight against drug abuse is not the sole responsibility of the police, and every individual and family should become part of the battle, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Thursday.

He was inaugurating the Idukki district-level 'Toofan Jagaran' programme held near here, and pointed out that drug abuse should not be viewed merely as a legal issue but also as a family issue.

“Drug prevention should begin with the attention of the mother, the care of the father, and the intervention of teachers and friends,” Chennithala said.

The Kerala Police have intensified their fight against drugs under 'Operation Toofan - The Narco Hunt'.

So far, 10,748 people have been arrested, more than 9,000 cases registered and drugs worth nearly Rs 170 crore seized as part of the operation, the minister said.

The investigation will also be extended to the financial network of drug mafias.

The seizure of 13 kg of MDMA from Coimbatore and hybrid cannabis worth Rs 18 crore from Kochi were among the major operations carried out under Operation Toofan, he said.

The police are investigating the source of money involved in drug transactions, those providing the funds and the extent of the financial network.

As part of this investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was conducting searches in four districts, Chennithala said.

The probe will also be extended to the financial networks linked to gold smuggling, he added.

“While registering cases, the police will not look at anyone's face. Those involved in drug trafficking will not receive political protection,” the minister said, adding that the drug mafia attempting to destroy the younger generation would be brought to justice.

He said synthetic drugs were increasingly reaching children and the police were changing their investigation methods in response to the evolving modus operandi of drug networks.

The dog squad has also been given specialised training for drug detection operations, he added.

Idukki MLA Roy K. Paulose presided over the function. Idukki Diocese Bishop Mar John Nellikunnel said the diocese would extend full cooperation to Operation Toofan.

An anti-drug pledge was administered at the programme.

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