Number of cases of sale of ganja and banned tobacco substances sees spike in Tiruchi as police launch special drive

Special drives conducted by police teams of Tiruchi Rural at various places in the district led to a sharp rise in the registration of cases pertaining to illegal sale and seizure of ganja and banned tobacco substances in 2025. There was a three-fold rise in the seizure of ganja in 2025 as compared to the previous year. 

A total number of 266 cases were booked in connection with illegal sale of ganja leading to the arrest of 347 accused last year. The cases booked in 2025 were 140% more than what was registered in 2024. The quantity of ganja seized was 268.36 kg of which 219.19 kg were destroyed.

As many as 1,437 cases were booked in connection with illegal sale of banned tobacco substances with the police teams arresting 1,493 accused in 2025. The quantity of banned tobacco substances seized was 6,639.78 kg. 

Highlighting the measures taken by the Tiruchi Rural police in 2025, a press release said a total number of 119 accused were detained under the Goondas Act, including 25 ganja peddlers, 20 anti-socials, 54 property crime offenders and nine POCSO accused.  The number of accused detained under the Goondas Act in 2025 was higher as compared to 2024 when 23 accused were detained under the Act. 

As many as 497 new history-sheets were opened against those involved in anti-social activities in 2025. Forty-five newly procured motorcycles were deployed for field-level police personnel in all police stations to carry out rounds in their respective jurisdiction during the day and at night.  Awareness was created at the village-level on the importance of installing surveillance cameras, the release said.