Kerala introduced a strict new approach to combat the growing narcotics menace by enforcing preventive detention for repeat offenders in drug-related cases. Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh has instructed excise officials to rigorously implement this provision. The first offender under this new approach has already been detained at Thiruvananthapuram Central Jail.
The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988, provides the legal framework for preventive detention in narcotics cases. This act allows authorities to detain individuals suspected of drug trafficking without immediate trial, particularly if they are repeat offenders. According to Section 2(e) of the act, individuals accused in multiple drug cases, or those who directly or indirectly finance, support, or protect such activities, can be detained for up to two years.
The detainee, a native of Erumeli, was arrested by the excise special squad from Kottayam. He was on bail and facing trial in the Ernakulam Sessions Court for the NDPS Crime 34/2020, a case registered by the Ernakulam Excise Special Squad. While on bail, he was caught by the Kottayam Excise Special Squad with drugs brought from Bengaluru at Pala. Following this, the excise department filed the application for his preventive detention.
The rising drug problem in Kerala has prompted the state government to use this preventive detention provision proactively. Over the past few years, Kerala has seen a significant increase in narcotics cases. Between 2016 and 2022, there was a 300 per cent surge in cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act—from 5,924 cases in 2016 to 26,629 cases in 2022.
This year alone, the Excise Department seized drugs worth Rs 41.42 crore. More than 4,400 people have been charged in 4,446 cases, and 232 vehicles have been seized. The department has confiscated 2,694 kg of marijuana, 583.99 grams of heroin, 202.13 grams of brown sugar, 23.53 grams of hashish, 3,065.2 grams of MDMA, 3,045.75 grams of methamphetamine, and 5,591 grams of hashish oil.