In a major crackdown on narcotics and prohibited tobacco products, the police seized 672.893 kg of ganja and 23.53 tonnes of gutkha from the eight West Zone districts in the past three months.

A total of 16,479 tablets of different prescription drugs, 586 gm of methamphetamine, 360 ml of cannabis oil, 9.86 kg of cannabis-infused toffees, 48 stamps of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), five cannabis plants, 130 gm of magic mushroom and 80 gm of cocaine were also seized during the police action from May 1 to July 25.

In July alone, 325.69 kg of ganja and 12.11 tonnes of prohibited tobacco products were seized from the eight districts, namely Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri.

Special drives and simultaneous action conducted under the supervision of R.V. Ramya Bharathi, Inspector General of Police (West Zone) in the eight districts have crippled the drug trafficking and retail networks, according to officials involved in the operations.

Meanwhile, the police have also taken serious note of the growing availability of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine, LSD and cocaine in the region.

Officials added that invoking the Goondas Act and freezing of bank accounts are among other actions being taken against drug offenders in the West Zone.

Published - July 29, 2026 06:14 pm IST