TN CM Vijay Backs Operation Toofan, Kerala Border Security Push

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has reportedly expressed his willingness to deploy additional police personnel along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border as part of expanded cooperation for Kerala’s anti-narcotics campaign, Operation Toofan.

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced the development following his meeting with Vijay in Chennai on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. According to Chennithala, the Tamil Nadu government has agreed to strengthen border surveillance, improve intelligence sharing, and support coordinated action against interstate narcotics networks.

Tamil Nadu Support for Operation Toofan

Speaking after the high-level meeting, Chennithala said Vijay had offered “wholehearted support” to Operation Toofan and indicated that Tamil Nadu was prepared to increase police deployment in areas bordering Kerala.

The discussions reportedly focused on preventing drug trafficking through roads, public transport, and other routes connecting the two states. Senior police officers and administrative officials in Tamil Nadu were also directed to explore measures for strengthening cooperation with Kerala’s enforcement agencies.

Chennithala said both governments had agreed on the need for faster information exchange, intelligence-led enforcement, and continuous surveillance along vulnerable border routes.

The proposed measures are expected to help police identify suspected trafficking movements, share details about organised narcotics groups, and coordinate operations across state boundaries.

Kerala-Tamil Nadu Border Under Greater Surveillance

The Kerala home minister said the objective was to bring the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border under extensive police surveillance rather than depending only on routine inspections at established check posts.

Interstate drug networks often operate across multiple jurisdictions, making cooperation between neighbouring police forces essential. Kerala has therefore been seeking coordinated action with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry.

Recent discussions among southern states have included proposals for periodic meetings, joint operations, and real-time intelligence exchange to track narcotics movements and disrupt supply routes.

Under the proposed arrangement, the Kerala and Tamil Nadu police could exchange information regarding suspects, vehicles, financial transactions, and trafficking patterns. However, detailed operational procedures or a timeline for additional deployment have not yet been publicly announced.

What Is Operation Toofan?

Operation Toofan, also known as “Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt,” is Kerala’s statewide campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

Launched in June 2026, the initiative combines enforcement, public awareness, and rehabilitation programmes. Kerala Police, the Excise Department, and other state agencies are participating in the campaign, with support also being sought from central agencies and neighbouring states.

The campaign targets organised drug suppliers, synthetic narcotics networks, and illegal distribution near schools, colleges and other sensitive locations.

Operation Toofan is being implemented through different components covering police raids, youth awareness programmes and rehabilitation support. Authorities have also increased scrutiny of airports, ports, railway stations, courier services, parties and online delivery systems allegedly used for narcotics distribution.

Vijay Invited to Kerala Anti-Drug Programme

Chennithala also invited Vijay to participate in a major anti-drug awareness programme planned in Ernakulam.

Actor Mohanlal, who has joined Operation Toofan as a campaign ambassador, is expected to participate in the programme. Chennithala said Vijay accepted the invitation and could share the stage with Mohanlal and Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan.

Vijay and Mohanlal previously appeared together in the Tamil film Jilla. Chennithala said their participation could help the campaign communicate its anti-drug message to a wider audience, particularly young people.

No final date or venue for the Ernakulam programme was announced immediately.

Intelligence Sharing Central to Joint Crackdown

Chennithala said the meeting with Vijay lasted nearly half an hour and included detailed discussions on the challenges created by interstate drug trafficking.

The Kerala government believes local enforcement alone cannot fully dismantle networks that transport narcotics across several states. Intelligence sharing between police forces is therefore expected to become a central part of the next phase of Operation Toofan.

The proposed cooperation may include coordinated vehicle checks, monitoring of suspected routes, sharing of criminal records, and joint action against traffickers operating on both sides of the border.

Chennithala thanked Vijay for agreeing to support the campaign and said Kerala and Tamil Nadu police would move forward with a stronger coordinated fight against drug mafias.

For now, the commitments regarding police deployment and border surveillance have been detailed mainly through Chennithala’s post-meeting statement. Further operational information is expected from the respective state authorities as the cooperation plan progresses.