Kochi: In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Kochi city police arrested three individuals and seized over 12 kilograms of ganja in two separate operations on Monday. The arrests highlight the ongoing efforts to curb interstate drug smuggling in the region.
First Case: 8.32 kg Ganja Seized in Nettoor
The Kochi city police apprehended two individuals, including a native of Odisha, with 8.32 kilograms of ganja. The arrested persons have been identified as Bheema Naik, 51, a resident of Ganjam district in Odisha, and Inosh, 28, from Kannadikad in Maradu. Acting on a tip-off received by City Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, the Kochi city Dansaf team, led by Narcotic Cell Assistant Commissioner T D Sunilkumar, conducted a raid in the Nettoor area. According to police, Naik had transported the contraband from Odisha to Ernakulam by train and later moved it to Nettoor via autorickshaw. Inosh was arrested when he arrived to purchase ganja from Naik. Police are now investigating the broader supply chain and the source of ganja from other states.
Second Case: 4 kg Ganja Seized in Perumbavoor
In a separate operation, the Ernakulam rural district Dansaf team, along with Perumbavoor police, arrested a West Bengal native with four kilograms of ganja. The accused has been identified as Intaj Sheikh, 36, from Murshidabad district. The ganja was seized from his rented house in the Thandekkad area of Perumbavoor. Sheikh confessed to police that the contraband was brought from Murshidabad. The raid was conducted based on a tip-off received by District Police Chief K S Sudarshan.
Increasing Drug Seizures in the Region
So far this year, police have seized over 380 kilograms of ganja in the rural district alone. In the past two weeks, authorities confiscated more than 35 kilograms of ganja. Notably, on May 20, three men were caught with 25 kilograms of ganja while traveling in an autorickshaw at Thottakkattukara. On the same day, three others were arrested with 10 kilograms of ganja from Desam. These repeated seizures indicate a robust drug trafficking network operating in the area.
Heightened Vigil at Transit Points
In response to the growing drug menace, police have tightened surveillance at railway stations and bus stations. This measure comes as more migrant workers are expected to return from West Bengal and Assam following the elections. Authorities suspect that drug rackets may attempt to use the movement of migrant workers as a cover to smuggle narcotics. The police are committed to dismantling these syndicates and preventing the flow of illegal drugs into the state.
