The District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) and the police have intensified checks on inter-State trucks and goods vehicles along major transit corridors to curb the movement of narcotic substances through commercial transport networks. This focussed action is part of the ongoing ‘Operation Toofan’, a State-wide anti-drug enforcement campaign.

Special squads, including plainclothesmen and shadow patrol squads, have been deployed at strategic locations along national and State highways and at border transit points to conduct inspections. The operation is being carried out in coordination with the Excise and Forest departments and highway patrol squads.

According to police sources, investigations have revealed that some drivers allegedly use return journeys after delivering goods to transport contraband for trafficking networks. Temporary accommodation facilities where truck drivers stay have also come under police scrutiny

A senior police officer with the anti-narcotics squad said drivers involved in such activities were often lured by substantial commissions, which supplemented their regular income from freight transportation.

Police sources also revealed that there have been several instances of suspects abandoning inter-State permit vehicles and fleeing upon detecting enforcement checks. A majority of the cases were reportedly linked to suspected ganja smuggling, they added.

As part of the drive, law enforcement agencies have compiled details of truck drivers previously arrested and convicted in drug trafficking cases who have since completed their prison terms. Their activities are also being tracked as part of preventive surveillance measures.

“Operation Toofan, launched to strengthen the State’s anti-narcotics campaign, combines intelligence gathering, targeted enforcement and inter-agency coordination to dismantle trafficking networks. More such focussed actions are on the cards to prevent youngsters from falling into their grip,” said an Assistant Commissioner of Police involved in coordinating the State-wide flash inspections in the area. He added the inspections would continue in the coming weeks with the deployment of more squads, with special attention being paid to inter-district and inter-State commercial vehicles.