A large-scale enforcement drive conducted by the Thiruvananthapuram Rural Police on Saturday led to the arrest of 31 people for selling banned tobacco products, the seizure of ganja and MDMA in a narcotics case, and the detention of 97 persons wanted in various criminal cases. The operation, spearheaded by District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram Rural) Prasanthan Kani, resulted in multiple cases getting registered against those involved in the sale of prohibited tobacco products.

In a separate case, the police arrested Arun, a native of Chathanpara, for allegedly attempting to transport and distribute narcotic substances through a courier service at Kallambalam. The officers seized 220 grams of ganja and 0.03 grams of MDMA from his possession, the police stated. In addition, four more persons were arrested from different parts of the district for allegedly selling narcotic substances, and cases were registered against them under relevant legal provisions.

97 persons rounded up

As part of the special drive, the police also rounded up 97 persons against whom warrants were pending in various cases. Moreover, the operation led to the arrest of several long-absconding accused including Sasidharan, wanted in a theft case registered at Attingal police station; Sanal alias Kiliyan, wanted in a murder attempt case registered at Aryanad police station; and Shajir alias Kannan, another accused in the same case.

Deputy Superintendents of Police, station house officers, members of the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) and other police personnel from across the Thiruvananthapuram rural police district participated in the operation. According to the District Police Chief, inspections would continue under Operation Toofan to curb the spread of narcotic drugs, prevent the sale of banned tobacco products and bring absconding accused before the law.

Published - July 26, 2026 08:14 pm IST