KOLLAM: Sending shivers down the spine of parents and teachers, the number of cases of ganja trafficking in proximity of educational institutions in the district is on the rise at an alarming rate.
Ten such cases were registered within the city police limits during the in the first week of school re-opening.
“Several cases including illegal tobacco products sale have been registered within East, West and other police station limits alone. The police conducted raids anticipating mushrooming trades on the school opening. Raids will continue on shops within 100 metres of educational institutions,” ACP Santhosh Kumar told DC.
In the latest incident of drug haul, police the other day arrested a youth who carried 150 packets of ganja from Chavara.
He has been selling ganja in Chavara, Azheekkal, Neendakara, and Sakthikulangara areas for the last several years. He sells a packet of 4 to 7 gm for Rs 100 to 200.
Police received information about him after questioning a student in Karunagappally who served as his agent. Excise team has also registered as many ganja cases.
They say pushers who concentrate on educational institutions appoint agents as retailers within the campus.
Lethal drugs including LSD and Buprenorphine ampules were also seized from such gangs recently.
Students are also exposed to the use of paan masalas and khainis despite best efforts by the police to prevent substance abuse through counselling and awareness campaigns.
