Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has written to the chief ministers of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, seeking stronger cooperation to combat interstate drug trafficking and curb the spread of narcotic substances.
The initiative is part of the Kerala government's ongoing anti-drug campaign, Operation Toofan, aimed at tackling drug abuse and dismantling trafficking networks across the state, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office on Wednesday.
In his letter, Satheesan said intelligence-based enforcement measures under Operation Toofan had been intensified. He noted that authorities were also focusing on tracing the financial networks of traffickers and confiscating assets allegedly acquired through illegal activities.
The chief minister said drug trafficking networks often operate across multiple states, making coordinated action among neighbouring states and Union Territories crucial.
He warned that border regions linking Kerala with Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, along with highways, tourist destinations, student communities and urban distribution hubs, could be exploited by organised drug syndicates.
Satheesan highlighted that the Kerala Police had arrested several interstate and international drug traffickers in recent months. However, he stressed that such networks could be dismantled more effectively through real-time intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated enforcement strategies.
As part of the proposed cooperation, the chief minister suggested convening a high-level meeting involving officials from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to formulate a joint action plan against interstate drug trafficking.
The letter also stated that Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar and Tactical Commander Putta Vikramaditya are prepared to hold discussions with senior police and Home Department officials from the neighbouring administrations to strengthen coordinated anti-drug efforts.
(With agency inputs from PTI)
