Thiruvananthapuram: The seizure of approximately 551 grams of synthetic drugs in the state capital within just five months, from January to May, highlights a deeply concerning trend. During this period, excise officers confiscated 344 grams of MDMA, including 177.3 grams in January and 76 grams in May. Officers also seized around 11 grams of methamphetamine and nearly 196 grams of psychotropic tablets.
Rise of Synthetic Drugs
While ganja remains the most seized narcotic by quantity, officials report that synthetic drugs, primarily sourced from Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu, are increasingly being detected across the district. According to officers, MDMA has become the preferred drug among traffickers due to its ease of transportation and concealment.
“Unlike ganja, MDMA does not have a strong odour and can be carried in very small quantities. A few grams can fetch significant returns, making it attractive to traffickers. Bengaluru continues to be one of the major source points for MDMA reaching Kerala, while consignments also arrive through Tamil Nadu,” said a senior excise officer.
Enforcement Challenges
Enforcement efforts are being hampered by inadequate infrastructure at border check posts, where a significant share of narcotics entering Kerala from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is intercepted. “Several check posts continue to function from converted cargo containers with limited facilities. In some places, there are no proper toilets, resting rooms or adequate lighting. Officers often have to arrange necessities on their own. At the same time, traffickers are using sophisticated methods and constantly changing their routes,” an excise officer said.
Legal Hurdles in Prosecution
Legal experts have pointed to challenges in ensuring successful prosecution under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Rahul V I, a criminal lawyer, explained, “The NDPS Act contains several mandatory safeguards relating to search, seizure and arrest. An accused has the right to seek the presence of a gazetted officer or magistrate during a search. Details regarding the quantity seized, chemical analysis and reporting procedures must be meticulously documented. Courts have repeatedly emphasised strict compliance with these safeguards. Any procedural lapse can weaken the prosecution’s case, and ultimately benefit the accused.”
Rahul further noted that the prosecution must establish an unbroken chain of custody from the time narcotics are seized until they are produced before the court. “The seizure, sampling, sealing, storage and transportation of contraband must be properly documented. Investigators should be able to show who handled the material at every stage and ensure that samples sent for chemical analysis are properly sealed and accounted for. If there are defects in seizure procedures, sampling, documentation or the chain of custody, the defence can challenge the integrity of the evidence,” he said.
Role of Social Media
Rahul also highlighted the growing role of social media in trafficking networks, which have become increasingly organised and reliant on digital platforms and covert communication channels to evade detection. “Traffickers increasingly use social media platforms to identify potential buyers and carriers. Young people are often targeted through online interactions before being drawn deeper into the network. While liquor advertisements and promotion are specifically restricted under the Abkari Act, similar issues relating to the glorification of drug use on social media continue to pose challenges for enforcement agencies,” Rahul added.
