The special squads under the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) have launched random inspections across newly identified drug hotspots within Kozhikode city limits as part of heightened vigil against drug peddlers targeting schoolchildren and college students.Police officers leading the special drive said 77 hotspots had now been identified within Kozhikode city limits, with the support of various local police stations to strengthen surveillance. Apart from conducting random inspections, drug peddlers who were earlier caught or convicted in various trafficking cases would be kept under constant monitoring, they added.“Decisions have been taken to conduct simultaneous flash inspections across identified drug hotspots to dismantle the network of drug peddlers in the city. Plainclothes personnel have already been deployed to ensure the success of the drive during the school season,” said a sub-inspector who is part of the special squad. He added that all suspected shops involved in the sale of banned tobacco products and narcotic substances would be subjected to flash inspections.According to police sources, most of the newly identified hotspots are located near popular shopping centres and beach tourism destinations. In response to the trend, DANSAF squads have increased the deployment of plainclothes personnel to gather real-time and reliable information about suspects.“Unlike in the past, there will be focussed efforts to identify schoolchildren and college students who act as carriers or close aides of drug peddlers. Proper rehabilitation of such children is crucial to ensure the safety of other students in vulnerable surroundings,” said a higher secondary school principal who had participated in a police training camp on identifying drug addiction among students. He added that instructions regarding the revival of school protection groups would also be taken up seriously to ensure appropriate follow-up action.Following State-level instructions, schools have already been urged to organise creative programmes and outdoor campaigns to spread a strong message against drug abuse. According to anti-narcotics squad members, the cooperation of parents and teachers would also be ensured to strengthen the initiative. Published - June 01, 2026 08:16 pm IST