Tue Nov 18 14:54:25 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
Ernakulam Rural Police (Kochi, India) have reported a significant surge in drug-related arrests and seizures in 2025 compared to the previous year. Cases under the NDPS Act have increased dramatically, with a corresponding rise in the number of people arrested. Ganja seizures have nearly doubled, and MDMA seizures have also increased. Much of the seized ganja is being smuggled in by migrant workers, often from Odisha. The police have seized a variety of other drugs as well. They attribute the increase to heightened surveillance and have launched “Operation Punarjani” to combat drug use, particularly among the migrant population.
News Article:
Drug Arrests Surge in Ernakulam Rural, India; Police Ramp Up Efforts
KOCHI, INDIA – November 18, 2025 – Ernakulam Rural police have reported a sharp increase in drug-related arrests and seizures so far this year, signaling a growing battle against the drug trade in the region. According to police data released today, 3,328 cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act through October 2025, a significant jump from the 2,037 cases reported for all of 2024.
The increase in cases has also led to a rise in arrests, with 3,521 individuals apprehended for alleged drug-related offenses, compared to 2,217 last year.
Police have seized nearly 500 kg of suspected ganja this year, nearly double the 270 kg seized in 2024. Approximately 1 kg of suspected MDMA has also been seized this year, compared to 750 grams last year. Recent arrests include four migrant laborers from Odisha caught with 25 kg of suspected ganja at the Aluva railway station. Police investigations indicate the ganja was sourced from Odisha for approximately ₹3,000 per kg with intent to distribute in and around Aluva.
“These numbers reflect our intensified efforts to combat the drug menace in Ernakulam Rural,” stated a source within the police department. “We have increased our surveillance and are actively working to prevent the flow of narcotics into our communities.”
The police also report a diverse range of drugs being seized, including methamphetamine, hashish oil, heroin, LSD stamps, and nitrazepam tablets.
In response to growing concerns, the Ernakulam Rural police, led by District Police Chief M. Hemalatha, have launched “Operation Punarjani,” an initiative focused on awareness and rehabilitation to address drug use and peddling, specifically targeting the migrant population. This program aims to provide support and resources to help individuals overcome addiction and break the cycle of drug-related crime.
First Piper 