In a major crackdown on drug-related activities, the Kochi city police raided the Government Polytechnic College hostel in Kalamassery and seized over 2 kg of ganja. The raid, which took place at the Periyar Men’s Hostel on Thursday night, led to the arrest of three students.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Akash M (21) from Villumala, Kollam; Adithyan (20) from Haripad, Alappuzha; and Abhiraj R (21) from Thodiyoor North, Karunagappally. They were caught in possession of 1.909 kg and 9.7 gm of ganja from two different rooms in the hostel. The students were reportedly packaging the narcotic substance into smaller packets at the time of the raid, presumably for distribution among students during Holi celebrations. A weighing machine was also confiscated from the premises.
According to Kalamassery police, two other students suspected to be involved in the case are currently absconding. The arrested individuals have been charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The raid was carried out by a special team comprising the District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) and Kalamassery police.
Kochi Narcotics Cell ACP K A Abdul Salam stated that the operation was initiated based on intelligence gathered from the arrest of two former students of the college in a prior drug case. This marks the largest seizure of illegal narcotics from a college hostel in Kochi, raising concerns about drug peddling among students in the city. Authorities have intensified their efforts to curb the drug menace, particularly within educational institutions.
