Kerala forms anti-drug task force under Police Chief as Operation Toofan expands
Synopsis
Kerala is scaling Operation Toofan from a local crackdown into a multi-state narcotics offensive. A new Special Task Force under the State Police Chief, a cross-border DGP summit on 10 July, and a community rehabilitation arm signal that this is no longer just a law-enforcement exercise — it is a political and public health mobilisation with Perumbavoor at its centre.
Key Takeaways
Kerala announced a Special Task Force on 3 July to lead the next phase of Operation Toofan , headed by State Police Chief Ravada A.
A meeting of Directors General of Police from Karnataka , Tamil Nadu , Puducherry , and Telangana is scheduled for 10 July to coordinate cross-border action.
Perumbavoor , the Plywood Capital of Asia , was identified as a key target due to its large migrant workforce being exploited by drug networks.
Around 35 hospitals have expressed willingness to join the Toofan Care rehabilitation initiative, with Little Flower Hospital, Angamaly being the first.
Congress MP Benny Behanan pledged to raise NDPS Act amendment proposals in Parliament.
Thousands of residents, including migrant workers, students, and traders, participated in the 'Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt' rally.
The Kerala government on Friday, 3 July announced the formation of a Special Task Force to be led by State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar, marking the next phase of 'Operation Toofan' — the state's flagship anti-narcotics campaign. The announcement came at the inauguration of 'Toofan Jagaran' in Perumbavoor, signalling a significant escalation in Kerala's war on drug trafficking.
What the Special Task Force Will Do
State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, who inaugurated the event, said the new task force would coordinate anti-drug operations across Kerala and spearhead efforts to dismantle inter-state narcotics networks through intelligence sharing and joint operations with neighbouring states. A multi-state meeting of Directors General of Police from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Telangana has been convened for 10 July to strengthen coordinated action against drug syndicates operating across state borders.
Perumbavoor in the Crosshairs
Chennithala described Perumbavoor — known as the Plywood Capital of Asia — as a town that drug mafias had attempted to exploit, using its thriving migrant workforce and industrial profile as cover for narcotics trafficking. Additional police personnel are to be deployed in the town to bolster enforcement. The Minister also announced that every resident of Perumbavoor would be designated a 'Toofan Warrior', and personally interacted with migrant workers in Hindi to enlist their support in the campaign.
'Operation Toofan is a mission to restore Perumbavoor's true identity. We will not rest until the drug mafia is uprooted,' Chennithala said.
Beyond Arrests: Rehabilitation and Community Care
Chennithala stressed that the campaign would extend beyond arrests and seizures, with strict legal action, continuous surveillance, and rehabilitation initiatives forming pillars of the broader strategy. He lauded Little Flower Hospital at Angamaly as the first institution to join the Toofan Care initiative, with around 35 hospitals having expressed willingness to partner with the programme.
Political Backing and Legislative Push
State Police Chief Chandrasekhar underlined that the campaign's success depended on active public participation. Congress MP Benny Behanan said he would raise the need for amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Parliament. Congress MLA Manoj Moothedan described the initiative as the beginning of a determined drive to make Perumbavoor drug-free.
Thousands of participants — including police personnel, elected representatives, students, traders, industrialists, community leaders, and migrant workers — took part in an anti-drug rally and public outreach programmes held across the town as part of the second phase of 'Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt'.
What Comes Next
The 10 July multi-state DGP meeting is expected to produce a framework for cross-border intelligence sharing. With 35 hospitals already in the pipeline for Toofan Care and community mobilisation underway at scale, the campaign appears set to move from enforcement-only to a broader public health model — a test of whether Kerala can translate political will into lasting outcomes.
Point of View
But the real test lies in execution. Kerala has run high-profile anti-drug campaigns before, and the pattern of mass rallies followed by enforcement fatigue is well-documented. The 10 July DGP meeting is significant — inter-state drug syndicates thrive precisely on jurisdictional gaps — but convening a meeting is not the same as dismantling a network. The NDPS Act amendment push from Congress MP Behanan also deserves scrutiny: the Act has long been criticised for disproportionately penalising small carriers while kingpins exploit bail and procedural loopholes. Whether Perumbavoor's 'Toofan Warrior' mobilisation translates into sustained community vigilance or fades into a photo-op will determine whether this campaign is remembered as a turning point or another headline.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Toofan in Kerala?
Operation Toofan is Kerala's flagship anti-narcotics campaign, now entering its second phase under the name 'Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt'. It targets drug trafficking networks, with a focus on Perumbavoor, and combines enforcement, surveillance, and community rehabilitation.
Who is leading the new Special Task Force against drugs in Kerala?
The Special Task Force announced on 3 July will be led by State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar. It will coordinate anti-drug operations statewide and work with neighbouring states to dismantle inter-state narcotics networks.
Why is Perumbavoor a focus of Operation Toofan?
Perumbavoor, known as the Plywood Capital of Asia, has a large migrant workforce and active industrial economy that drug mafias have reportedly attempted to exploit as cover for narcotics trafficking, according to Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
What is the Toofan Care initiative?
Toofan Care is the rehabilitation arm of Operation Toofan, partnering with hospitals to support drug-affected individuals. Little Flower Hospital in Angamaly was the first institution to join, with around 35 hospitals reportedly expressing willingness to participate.
What is the significance of the 10 July DGP meeting?
The Directors General of Police from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Telangana are meeting on 10 July to strengthen coordinated action against drug syndicates that operate across state borders. The meeting is aimed at building an intelligence-sharing and joint-operations framework.
