In a major crackdown under Operation Toofan, Kerala Police seized a large quantity of banned tobacco products hidden inside a secret cellar at a rented house near Dottappankulam in Sulthan Bathery on Monday.
The raid was conducted as part of the statewide anti-narcotics drive launched by the Kerala Police to curb the sale and distribution of drugs and prohibited substances. The operation was carried out based on a confidential tip-off and jointly led by the District Anti-Narcotics Squad and the Sulthan Bathery police.
During the search, officers recovered 12,000 sachets of Hans and 1,800 sachets of Cool Lip, both banned tobacco products reportedly popular among youngsters. The contraband was found stored in seven sacks concealed inside a hidden cellar built behind a shelf in one of the rooms of the house.
The accused, Ishaq (48), a native of Pallikkandi and resident of Moorkhan House, was not present at the time of the raid and is currently absconding. Police said he is suspected to have fled shortly before the operation.
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Police also seized a car bearing registration number KL 73 F 3102 from the premises. An additional sack containing Hans sachets, reportedly kept ready for distribution, was recovered from the vehicle.
Investigators stated that Ishaq is a habitual offender with prior involvement in drug-related cases. He is suspected of supplying banned tobacco products in nearby regions and is also under scrutiny for allegedly distributing them to school students.
A special police team has been formed to trace and arrest the accused. The operation was led by Sulthan Bathery Station House Officer Sreekanth S Nair, along with Sub-Inspectors Jeswin Joy, P. Jayaprakash, and K. Sreedhu, and personnel from the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force.
Police officials said Sulthan Bathery station has registered 11 cases under Operation Toofan so far as part of the intensified statewide crackdown on narcotics and banned substances.
