KOCHI: Data available with the district crime records bureau (DCRB) showed that the average cases – reported under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) in city – has increased by 61% this year, compared to the figure in 2017. The monthly average of NDPS cases in 2017 was 139 while the same in 2018 is 224.In 2017, the total numbers of recorded cases were 1,673 while the same (till July) in 2018 was 1,572. In 2016, the figure was 1,164 while in 2015 it was only 654. Police said that peddling of ganja in rural areas – which had gone down during the floods – has increased.“We seized ganja – in quantities over 3kg – on two consecutive days from Aluva. Strict vigil is being maintained in and around the town to curb the sale of narcotics,” said an officer with Aluva excise wing.City policemen said that anti-narcotics crackdown was put on hold during floods. “Some officers were engaged in rescue and relief activities during and after floods. We are back on track now and have been tracking down suspects,” said an officer with the city police.Officers said that other than ganja, synthetic drugs are becoming popular in city. “We have information that users are willing to try out more expensive drugs and synthetic drug are being smuggled in small quantities. A crackdown is on the anvil,” said an officer.Excise department has strengthened its drive against drugs with awareness programmes. Through an official communique, it informed that Cochin Monsoon Marathon –which was postponed due to floods – would be held on November 4. The marathon, organized as part of its campaign against drug abuse, would be held with minimal expense.Meanwhile, sources stated that the city is turning into a transit point for smuggling drugs out of the country. “As much as 4.5kg of MDMA was seized on the way to Nedumbassery Airport six months ago, while 30kg was seized recently from a courier agency. Considering the possibility of smuggling, we have been conducting several inter-departmental high-level meetings with various agencies including, central excise and customs department, enforcement directorate , CISF, Port Trust and SB-CID. Various preventive measures have been developed at these meetings,” stated the official communique.

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