Another case of suspected narcotic jihad was reported from Kerala. Last Friday, Kerala Excise officers arrested Rasool, a young man who sold narcotic drugs under the guise of a burger shop. He owns the burger shop called Heavenly Blends near Government Victoria College, Palakkad. A massive collection of narcotics was also seized from his flat in the town.

The raid was based on a tip-off received by Excise Inspector Naufal of Palakkad Intelligence Bureau (IB). The raid was jointly conducted by the IB team, Palakkad range Inspector Rajesh, the Palakkad circle team, and the cyber cell. Excise had received information that Rasool was selling drugs to college students and others under the guise of a cafe.

Officers raided the flat on the fifth floor of an apartment where Rasool and the employees lived in Palakkad city. Two rooms in the flat were found locked. When these rooms were opened and searched using Rasool’s keys, a large cache of drugs was found. A total of 5.5 kilograms of marijuana and 110 grams of methamphetamine were recovered from the rooms and the suspect’s possession.

Rasool was openly selling drugs in front of the college. Drug users would arrive and mention a few code words. They could buy both marijuana and meth. Hundreds of victims came to Heavenly Blends every day. When he was arrested, Rasool was about to start another outlet near an engineering college.

Incidentally, Rasool knew well the ill effects of the narcotic drugs he was plying and never used them. The accused confessed he made fifty thousand Rupees daily.

All over Kerala, several youngsters are addicted to lethal narcotic drugs. Several cafes like the one Rasool ran have sprung up near schools, colleges, hostels, and where the young generations hang out. It is alleged that criminals indulge in narcotic jihad to convert non-Muslims. Victims, especially young girls, do not have another option once they are addicted to narcotics and are easy prey for the jihadis.

Rasool was arrested after someone alerted the Excise department. Who sponsored, protected, and supplied the drugs and his cafe remains unknown. Unless the Excise works proactively and cuts out the supply chain, drug addiction will become rampant in Kerala.

There are thousands of such cafes, all owned by a particular community, all over Kerala. Why do only some attract huge crowds? Experts recommend authorities concentrate on such ones. Narcotic jihadis target the best in society, and even doctors in Kerala are now addicted to such lethal drugs.

Local media underplayed the narcotic jihad incident and chose to ignore the development.