Alleged drug trafficking: action sought against unregistered wayside shops in Kozhikode

Local action committees constituted against drug trafficking and substance abuse have sought immediate action against owners of a few wayside petty shops on Thamarassery-Wayanad road who are suspected of colluding with drug pushers.

For months, the committees have been keeping an eye on a few suspected shops that are frequented by migrant workers and students from distant locations. Many such shops initially opened as wayside eateries and juice parlours are now poorly maintained to avoid public attention and kept as a meeting point for anti-social activities, they alleged.

“A few months ago, some wayside eateries were shut following inspections by Food Safety squads. However, several other shops are still operational on the route with suspected links with drug pushers. The police can easily monitor them during night patrol,” said O.N. Santhosh, a member of a local action committee. He alleged that inter-district and inter-State truck drivers were regular visitors to such shops for suspicious deals.

Complaints have surfaced against some shops for the alleged sale of banned pan masala products. Though special squads of local bodies had earlier conducted searches in such suspected shops, they were discontinued recently after the squads were disbanded due to staff shortage.

According to sources in the Food Safety department, nearly 70 wayside shops are functional between Thamarassery and Lakkidi. According to them, several operators were earlier held on charge of violation of hygiene norms. The local administrators concerned could easily check the trade licences and initiate action in case of violations, they pointed out. 

In the wake of two recent murders involving drug users in rural Kozhikode, local action committees in all grama panchayats have formed surveillance squads to stay vigilant. Efforts are also on to expand CCTV surveillance.

Meanwhile, police sources confirmed that a special drive was under consideration to crack down on illegal traders following rising public complaints. They said plainclothesmen were on duty in some suspected areas.