NDPS cases, arrests double in Kochi in a month

The number of cases registered and arrests made by the Kochi City police under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act doubled in June compared to the previous five months; This is a clear indication of increased enforcement as part of the Statewide ‘Operation Toofan: Narco Hunt’.

The city police registered 1,143 drug-related cases and arrested 1,280 people in the first six months of this year. Of these, 503 cases and 541 arrests were recorded in June alone, following the launch of the new anti-drug operation.

Of the cases recorded until June this year, 27 were related to the seizure of commercial quantities, 53 of medium quantities, and 654 of small quantities of suspected narcotics. The NDPS Act classifies quantities according to the type of narcotic drug or psychotropic substance involved. In June alone, four cases related to commercial quantity, 21 cases related to intermediate quantity and 295 cases related to small quantity were recorded.

Sources in the anti-narcotics wing of the police said that the increase in cases involving moderate amounts of narcotics indicates a worrying trend. “Most of the cases in moderate quantities involved seizure of MDMA in youths. They were involved in both drug use and peddling. Many started as users and gradually turned into peddling to earn money,” said an officer.

Under the NDPS Act, up to 0.5 grams of MDMA is classified as small quantity, while 10 grams or more is classified as commercial quantity. Any amount between the two is considered an intermediate amount.

Police seized 143.71 kg of suspected cannabis and 2.30 kg of suspected MDMA in the first six months of this year. Of these, 44.66 kg of ganja and 484.21 grams of MDMA (about a third and a quarter of the total seizures, respectively) were seized in June alone.

Although the impact of Operation Toofan is reflected in this year’s figures, a similar trend is seen when compared with previous year’s data. The 1,143 NDPS cases recorded in the first six months of 2026 account for less than half of the 3,005 cases recorded in the whole of 2025. A total of 1,280 people were arrested in connection with the cases by the end of June, while 3,325 people were arrested in 2025.

But police sources said the overall number of cases and arrests was likely to rise this year if the renewed momentum in enforcement continues. “Counter-drug operations slowed in March and April this year, mainly due to election-related work and transfers. The number of District Anti-Narcotics Special Operations Forces teams also decreased from four to two during this period. All four teams have now been reinstated as part of efforts to accelerate the ongoing effort,” an officer said.