Kerala Excise to launch special anti-narcotics drive

Thiruvananthapuram: The Excise Department has decided to organize four mandatory anti-narcotics programs in each district to curb the influx of banned substances in the state. This decision was taken in the monthly conference called by Excise Commissioner Mahipal Yadav last month.

During the meeting, it was decided to run four special campaigns regularly in each district. Joint commissioners in-charge of the zone were directed to conduct a special campaign in each district.

There are three excise zones in the state and 14 excise departments fall under them. Each zone is headed by a Joint Commissioner. The excise divisions, which are adjacent to the revenue districts, are headed by Deputy Commissioners and each of them is targeted with three special operations to be conducted in the areas under their jurisdiction. Sources said anything could happen from special operations to search operations to border sealing.

“The directive is to organize special programs to deal with the increasing influx of drugs and psychotropic substances in the state. Officials will have the freedom to conduct whatever programs they deem appropriate. This may include search operations to catch history-sheeters, vehicle checking and checking of train passengers with the help of police and railway protection forces. They can also seal interstate borders and check vehicles and passengers,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the Excise Department is working on a plan to launch a month-long campaign before the Lok Sabha elections to curb drug smuggling in the state. This exercise will be started as soon as the notification for Lok Sabha elections is issued.