KOCHI: As many as 795 persons were arrested for drunk driving during a special drive by the police in districts falling under the Kochi Range. The 12-hour drive began at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
The drive, aimed to check rising felonious activities, was launched on the directive of P. Vijayan, Inspector General of Police. Also, action was initiated against 40 persons on the charge of drug peddling, while 1,850 grams of ganja were seized from their possession.
More than 610 persons were arrested for rash and negligent driving and causing public nuisance under the influence of alcohol, while 39 persons were booked for gambling under the Gaming Act. Similarly, 175 cases were registered against 208 persons for drinking in public, and 5,105 were booked for various offences under the Motor Vehicles Act.
As part of the drive, 368 persons, against whom non-bailable warrants are pending, including 32 persons wanted in serious criminal cases, were produced before the court. As many as 493 habitual offenders, and 215 persons arrested for drug peddling were examined. Search operations for weapons and drugs were carried out at 188 locations in the region.
Besides, as many as 703 persons listed during Operation Goonda and 85 others with suspected links with religious fundamentalists were also subjected to examination. As many as 581 lodges were inspected and 208 long-haul vehicles were inspected. Drivers of 359 inter-State luxury buses were also subjected to examination for drunk driving.
