A large quantity of ganja was seized from the boys' hostel of Government Polytechnic College, Kalamassery, during a late-night raid conducted by the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) and Kalamassery Police on Thursday, March 13. Three students were arrested, while others allegedly involved in the case managed to escape.
The raid, which took place around 11 pm, was carried out following information that students had pooled money to procure ganja for Holi celebrations.
Two First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered in connection with the case. In the first FIR, Akash (21), a native of Kollam, has been named as the accused after 1.909 kg of ganja was recovered from his room. Police said he had stocked the contraband for sale and consumption.
The second FIR names Adithyan (21) from Haripad and Abhiraj (21) from Karunagappally as accused. A total of 9.70 grams of ganja and weighing scales were seized from their room.
“The raid was conducted based on a tip-off about ganja being stored for sale among students during Holi celebrations,” said P.V. Baby, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Thrikkakara.
There were allegations that some students were unaware of the contraband being stored in their rooms and were being unfairly targeted. However, police denied these claims.
"The claim that the students were unaware of the substance in their room is false. It is highly likely that they were fully aware of its presence," ACP Baby said.
Kochi Narcotics Cell ACP K.A. Abdul Salam told the media that even alumni and outsiders could be involved in the case. “The students were packing ganja into small ziplock packets when the raid was conducted,” he said.
Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh said strict action would be taken against all those involved. "There will be no concessions. Those responsible will face the full force of the law," he said.
The principal of the college said a decision on the academic future of the accused students would be taken after discussions with the Academic Council. “They are temporarily suspended, but given that they are final-year students, a considerate decision will be taken,” he said.
This is the first time that such a large quantity of ganja has been seized from a college hostel in Kerala. Authorities have identified the alleged suppliers and said further investigations are underway.