Mon Feb 02 18:56:09 UTC 2026: # Kochi Grapples with Rising Influx of Synthetic Drugs, “China White Heroin” Emerges as Key Concern

The Story:
The Excise department in Kakkanad, Kochi, has arrested two Assam natives for peddling heroin, locally known as “China white heroin,” raising alarms about the increasing availability of synthetic drugs in the city. The arrests of Jahidhul Islam, 29, and Ramzan Ali, 26, from Karimganj, Assam, highlight a broader issue of drug trafficking targeting the migrant population. While ganja and MDMA remain the most commonly seized narcotics, data indicates a growing market for heroin and other substances like charas, methamphetamine, and LSD.

Key Points:

  • Jahidhul Islam and Ramzan Ali, both from Assam, were arrested for peddling heroin (“China white heroin”), MDMA, and ganja in Kakkanad.
  • The Excise department seized 907 gm of heroin in Ernakulam district in 2025, alongside 48.69 gm seized by the Kochi City police.
  • In 2024, the city police seized 218 gm of heroin, while the Excise recovered 594 gm.
  • Heroin is reportedly most popular among the migrant population, and peddlers are often migrant laborers themselves.
  • Besides heroin, authorities are also seizing charas, methamphetamine, LSD, and various psychotropic tablets.
  • Seizures in 2025 included 189 gm of suspected hashish and 20 gm of LSD by Excise and City Police; Police seized 424.64 gm of methamphetamine, while the Excise impounded 32.91 gm.

Critical Analysis:

The arrest in Kochi and the data revealing diverse drug seizures suggest a two-pronged issue. Firstly, the specific mention of “China white heroin” indicates a specific supply chain and potentially a source point. Secondly, the targeting of the migrant population suggests either easier access to this demographic, or a higher demand among that population, likely driven by socioeconomic factors. The increased seizures across multiple drug types point towards an evolving drug market, where users are experimenting with different substances, possibly due to availability or price fluctuations. The parallel news of mass arrests in Chennai further supports the idea of heightened nationwide concern and enforcement around drug trafficking.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kochi is experiencing a rise in the availability and consumption of various synthetic drugs, including heroin.
  • The targeting of the migrant population by drug peddlers is a concerning trend.
  • Enforcement agencies are actively seizing a wide range of narcotics, indicating a diverse and evolving drug market.
  • The availability of LSD and other “party drugs” suggests a demand across different social segments.
  • The seizures in Kochi, combined with the arrests in Chennai, point towards a potentially larger, coordinated drug trafficking network operating in Southern India.

Impact Analysis:

The increasing drug influx in Kochi could have significant long-term implications. The health and social well-being of the migrant population are particularly at risk. The rise in drug-related crime could strain law enforcement resources and contribute to social instability. The availability of drugs like LSD suggests a potential normalization of drug use among younger demographics. The continued focus on budget allocation towards cancer and rare disease drugs suggests a prioritization of public health concerns from the government, while the necessity to combat recreational drugs persists.

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