The coastal stretches of the city, particularly those falling under the Shanghumughom subdivision of the City police, are witnessing an intense crackdown on peddlers of cannabis (ganja) over the past couple of months, with the past two weeks seeing three major ganja seizures.
The reason behind the intensified drive in the area is the decision to declare the entire coastal stretch a drug-free zone.
Already, areas such as Kochuveli, Kannanthura, Vettucaud, Vallakkadavu and Cheriyathura have been declared drug- and liquor-free zones with the help of residents’ associations and non-governmental organisations fighting against the drug and liquor menace.
The Janamaitri police are in close liaison with these bodies to ensure that the drug-free tag remains a true one.
Arrests
As for the other areas, the police, led by Jawahar Janardh, Assistant Commissioner (Shanghumughom), are scanning every possible drug-deal spot and nabbing those engaged in the business. The aggressive drive is producing results, with three major seizures — all above 1 kg are classified as major — being recorded in the past two weeks, apart from nearly 50 minor seizures ever since the drive was launched a few months ago.
The major seizures saw the arrest of three peddlers, including two persons posing as migrant labourers, and a total of 3.9 kg of ganja being seized. While Manatha Pradhan, 22, and Sushanth Bera, 21, of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, were arrested for selling the stuff to school and college students, Binu alias Pachan of Muttathara was arrested for stocking ganja in his house and selling it off in small quantities.
More than 1 kg ganja was seized from the house of Syed Aboobaker of Beemapally in the raids that were led by S.Y. Suresh, Circle Inspector, Poonthura, and Sajin Louise, sub-inspector, Poonthura, Mr. Janardh said.
The anti-drug drive would continue, he said, adding that the Janamaitri police in the sub-division organised awareness classes for the youth last week, and staged a street-play Madyapaniku Athaazhamilla (No supper for drunkards) at major junctions, he added.
Few areas already declared drug-free
Three major seizures made in past two weeks
