Thiruvananthapuram Police Stop Illegal Tobacco Sales

Police in Thiruvananthapuram are working hard to stop the sale of tobacco products that are not allowed. They are checking many shops and looking closely at areas around schools to protect children. Large amounts of illegal tobacco have been found and taken away.
By Newsroom | Crime, India |

Recent actions by law enforcement in Thiruvananthapuram highlight a significant increase in efforts to curb the sale and distribution of banned tobacco products. These operations, particularly those focused around educational institutions, aim to reduce public health risks, especially among young people. Multiple seizures of contraband, alongside arrests and the registration of numerous cases, underscore the ongoing challenges in controlling this trade.

The heightened focus on illegal tobacco sales follows a pattern of enforcement actions observed across the region. These efforts appear to be driven by concerns over the accessibility of such products to vulnerable populations, including students. The confiscation of large quantities of banned items, some of which are specifically marketed to appeal to younger demographics, indicates a deliberate approach to dismantle supply chains.

Crackdown on tobacco sales in Thiruvananthapuram - 1

The following provides a breakdown of recent activities and evidence related to the crackdown on tobacco sales in Thiruvananthapuram.

Enforcement Actions and Seizures

Law enforcement agencies in Thiruvananthapuram have been actively engaged in drives to enforce regulations against tobacco sales. These operations have resulted in the registration of numerous cases and the seizure of substantial quantities of banned tobacco products.

Read More: ICE Agents Arrested After Claims of Bad Behavior and Crime

Crackdown on tobacco sales in Thiruvananthapuram - 2

  • May 2025 (The Hindu): The Thiruvananthapuram City police conducted a large enforcement drive targeting the use and sale of banned tobacco products.

  • 50 cases were registered under the COTPA Act.

  • 7 cases were registered under the NDPS Act.

  • 231 shops were inspected.

  • 105 educational institutions' vicinities were checked.

  • 187 individuals were subject to action under COTPA, with fines imposed.

  • March 2025 (Times of India): An arrest was made near Menamkulam Attinkuzhi, leading to the discovery of approximately 3,000kg of banned tobacco products stored in a rented house.

  • The operation stemmed from information provided by a previously arrested migrant worker in Neyyattinkara.

  • The detained individual, identified as Ajmal, 24, a migrant worker, was reportedly supplying these products to migrant worker camps.

  • Over 1,200 packets of banned tobacco products, including candies suspected to be targeted at school children, were seized.

  • Separately, Thanseer was confirmed by Kazhakkoottam police to have a prior case related to illegal tobacco sales.

  • December 2024 (New Indian Express & Times of India): Chirayinkeezhu police seized banned tobacco products worth Rs 4 crore.

  • Two individuals were arrested in connection with the seizure, which involved 277 sacks stored in a godown.

  • The contraband was reportedly concealed under onion sacks, with rotten ones placed on top to mask the smell, during transport from Bengaluru.

  • The accused were allegedly operating under the guise of a bottled water supply business.

  • The seized items were reportedly intended for sale during the Christmas-New Year festivals and were specifically noted as being supplied to school students in Attingal and Chirayinkeezhu areas.

  • Charges were filed under the Juvenile Justice Act, Kerala Police Act, and COTP Act.

  • April 2025 (Times of India): The Chadayamangalam excise range seized 650kg of banned tobacco products, valued at Rs 5 lakh, from a supermarket godown.

  • The supermarket owner, Siyad, 44, was reportedly absconding and was not named as an accused as the ownership was registered in his name.

  • A case was registered under the COTPA Act.

  • The supermarket owner also reportedly dealt in leather items, groceries, and vegetables.

Focus on Educational Institutions

A recurring theme in these enforcement actions is the specific targeting of areas surrounding schools and colleges. This suggests a deliberate strategy to protect young people from tobacco use.

Read More: Indian Shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar Wins Gold

  • May 2025 (The Hindu): The Thiruvananthapuram City police drive specifically focused on areas around educational institutions.

  • March 2025 (Times of India): Among the seized items were candies suspected to be targeted at school children.

  • December 2024 (Times of India): Police stated that the seized tobacco products were intended for supply to school students in and around the Attingal and Chirayinkeezhu areas.

Broader Regional Context: Tamil Nadu's Actions

Similar enforcement efforts are underway in neighboring states, offering a broader perspective on the regional approach to tobacco control.

Crackdown on tobacco sales in Thiruvananthapuram - 3

  • June 2025 (Ommcom News & Education Today): The Tamil Nadu government has intensified its crackdown on tobacco sales near schools and colleges.

  • The government instructed the Tamil Nadu Police, Food Safety Department, and local bodies to conduct focused enforcement drives.

  • This campaign registered 43,167 cases and confiscated over 4.1 lakh kg of banned tobacco items.

  • 13,642 shops were identified as selling prohibited tobacco products.

  • The Food Safety Department inspected over 5.2 lakh shops and transport vehicles.

  • These initiatives are presented as potentially serving as a model for other states seeking to reduce youth tobacco usage.

Expert Analysis and Regulatory Framework

The enforcement actions are underpinned by existing legislation aimed at controlling tobacco consumption and sales.

Read More: Teenager Allegedly Used Roblox Game in Canada Shooting

  • The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, provides the legal framework for regulating tobacco sales, advertising, and consumption in India.

  • The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, is invoked when substances with psychotropic properties are involved, though its application in these specific tobacco seizures suggests a potential overlap or association with other illicit substances in some instances.

  • The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, is applied when offenses involve minors, highlighting the concern for protecting children from harmful products.

Conclusion and Implications

The reported enforcement drives in Thiruvananthapuram demonstrate a clear and consistent effort by authorities to address the illicit trade of banned tobacco products. The significant seizures, arrests, and the substantial number of cases registered indicate a persistent challenge in controlling this trade.

Crackdown on tobacco sales in Thiruvananthapuram - 4

The explicit focus on areas surrounding educational institutions signals a strategic priority to safeguard the health of students. The scale of seizures, particularly the Rs 4 crore haul in December 2024, suggests the presence of well-established distribution networks. The involvement of migrant workers in the supply chain, as noted in the March 2025 incident, points to the complex social and economic factors that may influence illicit trade.

Read More: India Says US Trade Paper Changes Match What Was Agreed

The parallel actions in Tamil Nadu suggest a broader regional concern and coordinated approach towards tobacco control, particularly concerning youth. The application of multiple legal statutes in prosecuting offenders underscores the multifaceted nature of the problem, encompassing public health, juvenile protection, and drug control.

The ongoing nature of these crackdowns implies that further enforcement actions are likely. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on sustained surveillance, inter-agency cooperation, and strategies to disrupt the supply chains and address the demand for these products, especially among younger populations.

Sources Used

Read More: New Files Show Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew Stayed Friends with Epstein

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are police stopping tobacco sales?
Police want to stop people, especially young people, from using harmful tobacco products. This helps keep them healthy.
Q: Where are police looking for illegal tobacco?
Police are checking shops and areas close to schools and colleges. They want to make sure banned tobacco is not sold to students.
Q: What has been found?
Police have found and taken away large amounts of banned tobacco products. Some of these were hidden and meant to be sold to students.
Q: Are other places doing this too?
Yes, the nearby state of Tamil Nadu is also stopping illegal tobacco sales near schools, showing a bigger effort to protect young people.