In a significant crackdown on illegal drug activities, Kerala police arrested two men for allegedly forging psychiatric prescriptions to illegally acquire and distribute medications intended for mental health conditions. The arrests, made public on Sunday, highlight concerns over the growing issue of drug abuse in the state.
The suspects, Nixon (31) and Sanoop (36), are accused of creating counterfeit prescriptions and using them to purchase medications from local pharmacies. Police reports indicate that the pair forged the seal and prescription of a psychiatrist from a Paravur hospital, then proceeded to acquire drugs prescribed for mental health patients. Investigators also suspect that the duo may have consumed the medications themselves as intoxicants.
The arrests were made following a thorough investigation initiated by the Ernakulam Rural District Police Chief, Vaibhav Saxena, after receiving confidential intelligence. A coordinated operation involving the Rural District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (Dansaf), the Munambam Deputy Superintendent of Police’s Special Investigation Team, and Paravur police officers led to the apprehension of the suspects.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the full extent of the operation, with further details expected as the inquiry unfolds. The case is part of a broader effort by local authorities to combat drug-related crimes in Kerala, a state that saw 24,517 cases filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985 in 2024 alone. This incident follows a series of violent incidents in the state, which authorities suspect may be connected to rising drug abuse.
As the investigation continues, Kerala’s police are emphasizing the importance of tackling both the supply and demand sides of illegal drug trafficking to curb the increasing prevalence of substance abuse in the region.
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