Excise in Kochi steps up anti-drug drive with new intelligence wing

The Ernakulam unit of the Excise Department has stepped up its game in the fight against drug smuggling with its revamped internal intelligence system. Two teams of 22 excise officials were assigned to collect intelligence on suspected smuggling of narcotics and other contraband in order to enhance surveillance and preventive measures.

Authorities claimed the mechanism was effective and that tips from units had resulted in at least four seizures in the first week since it was launched.

The cases registered on the basis of information received from the intelligence wing include the recent arrest of a 28-year-old man with 252.48 grams of suspected MDMA at a hostel in the city. In this case, alleged drug dealer Adarsh ​​Sidharthan of Ambalapuzha Karumadi was caught within a few hours after receiving the contraband. Excise sources said the youths allegedly collected more than 300 grams of suspected contraband from Manjummel in the suburbs. He was suspected of having managed to sell some of the contraband to another street vendor before he was caught, they added.

“Based on clues from the special internal intelligence team, the first case we detected was related to the seizure of one gram of MDMA, followed by two cases of five grams and 11 grams. The team consists of excise personnel from various offices in the district and they were given the freedom to move in plainclothes,” said an excise official.

The two teams are each led by a tax inspector and consist of preventive excise officers and civilian tax officers selected based on their experience in previous operations and familiarity with communications technologies. Tax authorities have also started talks with the Narcotics Control Bureau to expand its intelligence network. “The national agency’s expertise will help in tracking and arresting the sources of contraband seized by excise officials,” the official said.

The SCT in the region registered 111 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and arrested 115 people till January 22. According to official figures, the suspected drugs seized in the cases include 26.75 kg of marijuana, 257.81 grams of MDMA and 33 grams of heroin.