Kerala Excise Department Intensifies Enforcement with Dual Operations Ahead of Assembly Elections
In a significant pre-election crackdown, the excise intelligence wing of Kerala has dramatically escalated its enforcement activities across the state. Authorities have launched two specialized operations — Operation Hotspots and Operation C-Hunt — targeting the illegal trade in liquor and narcotics. This coordinated statewide drive aims to dismantle illicit networks and curb substance abuse as political campaigning intensifies.
Operation Hotspots: Targeted Inspections in Sensitive Areas
The excise intelligence department has meticulously identified numerous sensitive locations across various districts that require close and continuous monitoring. Under the framework of Operation Hotspots, targeted inspections are being systematically conducted in these high-risk zones. The operation's primary focus encompasses:
- Areas suspected of clandestinely storing liquor and narcotics
- Habitual offenders with prior records in excise and drug-related cases
- Individuals accused in ongoing legal proceedings
- Illicit distillation units and unauthorized spirit storage facilities
- Major transportation hubs including railway stations, interstate bus services, and parcel distribution centers
Joint inspection teams are operating in seamless coordination with various field units to maximize effectiveness and coverage. The operation has yielded substantial results in a short period.
Operation C-Hunt: Combating Illegal Cannabis Cultivation
Simultaneously, Operation C-Hunt (Cannabis Hunt) has been initiated with the specific objective of detecting and eliminating illegal cannabis cultivation across Kerala's terrain. This operation is being conducted with robust support from the forest department and local police forces, particularly in districts known for such activities.
Key districts under scrutiny include Idukki, Palakkad, and Wayanad. Recent intensive inspections were carried out in multiple locations, such as:
- Vatsapettykudi, Thulamala, Aakashkotta, Koodakadu tribal settlements, and Theerthamalakudi in Idukki district
- The Attappadi region of Palakkad district
- Various parts of Wayanad district
In the Attappadi region alone, enforcement officials successfully seized 1,350 cannabis plants, demonstrating the operation's tangible impact on ground-level cultivation.
Substantial Enforcement Results and Seizures
The enforcement drive has produced significant quantitative outcomes between March 16 and April 2, 2026. Under Operation Hotspots, inspections led to the registration of:
- 61 Abkari cases related to illicit liquor
- 52 narcotics cases involving various drugs
- 47 tobacco-related cases for violations
In narcotics cases specifically, officials made substantial seizures, including:
- 36.078 kilograms of cannabis
- 1,362 cannabis plants
- 328.404 grams of methamphetamine
- 0.330 grams of MDMA
- 2.54 grams of brown sugar
- 2.06 grams of hashish oil
This comprehensive seizure list underscores the variety and scale of illegal substances being targeted by the enforcement agencies.
Statewide Coordination and Leadership
The entire statewide enforcement drive is being meticulously carried out under the strategic direction of Kishore Kumar IPS, who oversees the excise intelligence operations. The coordinated approach involving multiple departments reflects a determined effort to address both the supply and distribution chains of illegal substances.
As Kerala approaches its assembly elections, these intensified operations signal a clear administrative focus on law and order, particularly concerning excise and narcotics violations. The dual operations represent a proactive strategy to disrupt illegal networks that often flourish during election periods, ensuring a safer and more regulated environment for the electoral process.
