The Thiruvananthapuram City Police arrested 16 people for allegedly attempting to sell banned tobacco products. The inspections were carried out in connection with the State-wide anti-drug enforcement drive Operation Toofan.The inspections were carried out by teams led by Deputy Commissioners of Police Anjali Bhavana and Deepak Dhankher under instructions by District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City) Arul R.B. Krishna.The police seized banned tobacco products worth nearly ₹2 lakh from the possession of the accused persons. The illicit products were recovered during targeted inspections centred around school and college campus premises.Mr. Krishna announced that inspections against the smuggling and sale of intoxicating substances will be tightened further in the days to come. Strict legal measures, including preventive detention and the confiscation of property, will be pursued against the offenders. Published - June 24, 2026 09:13 pm IST