Chennai

Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala is set to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai on Wednesday to seek interstate cooperation for 'Operation Toofan', a massive anti-narcotics campaign launched by the Keralam government.

Speaking to reporters after the high-level meeting, Chennithala highlighted the success of the ongoing drive and emphasised the need for a unified front against the drug mafia in South India.

"People who were using drugs and selling drugs were arrested. I came here to Chennai to meet the Chief Minister, Vijay, to take his support for this programme," Chennithala said.

Launched in June 2026, 'Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt' has already resulted in thousands of arrests across Keralam.

Lauding the performance of the fledgling TVK-led government in Tamil Nadu, which took office earlier this year, Chennithala praised the leadership of Chief Minister Vijay.

"In the last one month, he has done so much for the people. The people are happy with that... It is a very transparent government. The state will progress under this leadership," the Kerala Home Minister added.

Earlier, on June 2, Chennithala, in a post on X, said the operation would be carried out in coordination with the Health and Excise Departments and would focus on eliminating drug trafficking at its roots. "Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt. From today... Aimed at overhauling the drug mafia in the state in coordination with the Health and Excise departments, this operation is aimed at destroying the drug menace at its root. Need prayers and support for the initiative!" the minister wrote.

The launch of the anti-narcotics drive comes amid growing concerns over the sharp rise in drug-related cases in Keralam.

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Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showed that Keralam recorded the highest number of NDPS cases in the country in 2023, with 30,697 cases registered. Ahead of the launch, Kerala Police had appealed for public participation in the campaign.