A disturbing trend is emerging in Kozhikode: an alarming rise in synthetic drug abuse among private and tourist bus drivers. This surge has triggered widespread safety concerns among the commuting public, as police report a significant increase in confidential complaints from both passengers and local residents, highlighting a growing crisis on the roads.
This troubling pattern is further evidenced by numerous recent arrests and significant drug seizures. Authorities are increasingly linking these incidents to a rise in road accidents on key routes across the district, including the busy Kozhikode–Kuttiyadi, Kuttiyadi–Perambra, and Kozhikode–Kannur stretches, making every journey a potential risk.
One recent incident brought this issue sharply into focus: a private bus driver on the Kozhikode–Thiruvambadi route was apprehended by Kunnamangalam police. His arrest came after a vigilant woman passenger discreetly alerted authorities to his suspected drug use. The driver was reportedly found in possession of 2 grams of ganja and subsequently remanded in judicial custody under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. This particular route had already been the subject of numerous passenger complaints regarding driver behavior, making the arrest a stark confirmation of underlying problems.
This incident is not isolated; it’s part of a rapidly growing list of similar cases. Earlier in February 2025, Faijaz, a driver operating from the Perumanna bus stand, was caught with suspected cannabis while on duty. Police seized his vehicle and allegedly discovered additional contraband. In the same month, the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force arrested tourist bus drivers P. Aneesh (44) and P. Sanal Kumar (45) on suspicion of smuggling 31.7 grams of MDMA from Bengaluru, with investigators indicating their use of social media for drug transactions.
Further highlighting the scale of the problem, another significant seizure in February saw Bengaluru-based driver K.K. Mohammed Shafeeque arrested at the Kozhikode mofussil bus stand. He was found with a substantial 254.85 grams of suspected MDMA, underscoring the serious nature of the drug trade impacting the transport sector.
In response to this alarming situation, community organizations and passenger advocacy groups are urgently calling upon the government. They demand a comprehensive study into the prevalence of drug abuse among drivers and the implementation of robust countermeasures. ANGELS (Accredited Network Group of Emergency Life Savers), a prominent organization that has consistently highlighted drug use as a contributing factor to accidents, expressed frustration that their proposals for preventive measures have largely been overlooked.
Conversely, officials from the Private Bus Operators’ Association acknowledged the severity of the issue but pointed to a critical shortage of skilled drivers as a significant obstacle to implementing independent screening programs or readily replacing drivers found to be offenders. While expressing full support for the police enforcement squad’s ongoing efforts, they emphasized that only sustained and comprehensive government intervention can truly tackle these mounting threats to public safety.
In light of the escalating concerns, a senior district police officer from the Anti-Narcotics squad confirmed that plainclothes units are now intensifying their surveillance of bus drivers. He stressed that active cooperation from passengers will be absolutely vital in strengthening upcoming special drives aimed at eradicating this dangerous menace from public transport.