Operation Thoofan: Police Seize 36 Kg of Ganja in Kottayam Ahead of Sabarimala Pilgrimage Season
Kottayam: Police seized 36 kg of ganja allegedly intended for sale in Erumeli during the upcoming Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season and arrested four persons in a joint operation in Kottayam district.
The contraband was found concealed in three trolley bags during an inspection of an interstate bus arriving from Bengaluru. The seizure was made under 'Operation Thoofan', jointly conducted by the Kottayam District Anti-Narcotics Squad (DANSAF), Kanjirappally Thoofan Squad and Ponkunnam Police.
The arrested persons have been identified as Sharath Kumar V. A. (25), Adarsh P. Reji (27), Nandu Rinosh (27) and Shah Rukh Khan (26).
According to police, the ganja was sourced from Odisha and transported to Kerala through Bengaluru. Preliminary investigations indicate that the accused were planning to distribute the contraband in large quantities in Erumeli, a major transit centre for Sabarimala pilgrims, during the pilgrimage season.
The suspects had reportedly been under police surveillance for several days. Acting on confidential information that the group would arrive from Bengaluru carrying ganja, the investigation team conducted a planned operation that led to the seizure.
The operation was carried out under the direct supervision of Kottayam District Police Chief K. M. Sabu Mathew. District Narcotic Cell DySP U. Sreejith and Kanjirappally DySP Rijo P. Joseph led the operation, with the participation of DANSAF personnel, the Kanjirappally Thoofan Squad and Ponkunnam Police.
Police have intensified surveillance across Kottayam district following several recent cases involving the trafficking of ganja and MDMA. Officials also reported incidents in which suspected drug traffickers attacked police personnel during enforcement operations in Erattupetta, Kottayam and Pala.
With the Sabarimala pilgrimage season approaching, police have been directed to strengthen inspections and intelligence gathering to prevent drug trafficking and illegal sales in pilgrimage centres and surrounding areas.
Authorities said strict monitoring and enforcement operations would continue in the coming days, particularly in Erumeli and other areas expected to witness increased pilgrim movement.