Thu Jul 24 08:12:21 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Law enforcement in Ernakulam, India, has seen a significant increase in drug-related arrests and seizures in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year. While ganja remains the most prevalent drug seized, synthetic drugs like MDMA are on the rise. Authorities are noting an increase in women being used as drug carriers and a shift in smuggling routes towards trains due to increased bus checks. The Ernakulam Rural police have already surpassed their total NDPS cases from 2024 and are seizing larger quantities of certain drugs, indicating a growing problem. Drugs are smuggled in from various Indian states with synthetic drugs coming from Bengaluru, Goa and Delhi.
**News Article:**
**Drug Seizures Surge in Ernakulam, India; Authorities Crack Down on Smuggling**
**KOCHI, India -** July 24, 2025 – Law enforcement agencies in Ernakulam, Kerala, are reporting a dramatic increase in drug seizures and arrests in the first half of 2025, signaling a growing battle against narcotics trafficking in the region.
The Ernakulam excise division has registered 866 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, arresting 862 individuals between January 1st and July 18th. Seizures include 357 kilograms of ganja, which continues to dominate the market, as well as rising amounts of synthetic drugs, notably 408 grams of MDMA. Other drugs seized include heroin, hashish, brown sugar, charas, hashish oil, methamphetamine, LSD and various prescription medications. 39 vehicles used for smuggling and ₹5.82 lakh have also been seized.
“We have been able to tighten up the enforcement and register more cases during this year as many pending vacancies in our offices could be filled. Ganja continues to dominate the drug market while synthetic drugs are also being seized in small quantities almost on a daily basis. One thing we have noticed is the increasing number of women being used as carriers,” said T.M. Maju, Excise Deputy Commissioner, Ernakulam. He said drugs are being increasingly smuggled in through trains.
Ernakulam Rural police have also reported a surge, already exceeding their total NDPS cases from 2024 with 2,068 cases registered in the first six months of 2025. The amount of ganja seized by rural police has gone up and there is more MDMA than there was in 2024. The crackdown has also led to the seizure of 500 sacks of banned tobacco products and the discovery of ganja hidden in bicycle tubes.
“Ganja is being increasingly smuggled in from Assam, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal targeting mostly the migrant community. Bengaluru, Goa, and Delhi are among the destinations from which synthetic drugs are mostly smuggled in,” said Rural police sources.
District Police Chief M. Hemalatha has intensified the drive against drugs. The surge in drug activity has prompted authorities to increase enforcement efforts, with a particular focus on inter-state transit routes and the detection of new smuggling methods. The data suggests that the drug trade remains a significant challenge for the region.
First Piper 