Drug abuse among private bus drivers triggers safety concerns in Kozhikode

The rising incidents of synthetic drug abuse among private and tourist bus drivers in Kozhikode district have triggered serious safety concerns among commuters, with police reporting a surge in confidential complaints from passengers and residents.

Several recent arrests and seizures indicate a disturbing trend, with links to increasing road accidents on major routes such as Kozhikode–Kuttiyadi, Kuttiyadi–Perambra, and Kozhikode–Kannur.

In one recent case, a private bus driver on the Kozhikode–Thiruvambadi route was arrested by Kunnamangalam police after a woman passenger tipped off authorities about his suspected drug use. He was reportedly found with 2 gm of ganja and remanded in judicial custody under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Passengers had earlier raised repeated complaints about drivers on the same route.

The incident is part of a growing list. In February 2025, Faijaz, a driver at Perumanna bus stand, was caught with suspected cannabis while operating a bus. Police seized the vehicle and allegedly found more contraband in his possession. The same month, tourist bus drivers P. Aneesh, 44, and P. Sanal Kumar, 45, were arrested by the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force for reportedly smuggling 31.7 grams of suspected MDMA from Bengaluru. Investigators said the duo used social media platforms for their drug dealings.

Another major seizure in February involved K.K. Mohammed Shafeeque, a Bengaluru-based driver, nabbed from the Kozhikode mofussil bus stand with 254.85 grams of suspected MDMA.

Community organisations and passengers’ forums have urged the government to study the extent of drug abuse among drivers and roll out strict countermeasures. ANGELS (Accredited Network Group of Emergency Life Savers), which has long flagged drug use as a cause of accidents, said its proposals for preventive measures have gone ignored.

Meanwhile, the Private Bus Operators’ Association office-bearers cited a severe shortage of skilled drivers as a hurdle to independent screening or replacement of offenders. However, they expressed support for the enforcement squad’s efforts, but maintained that only sustained government intervention would address the looming threats.

A senior district police officer with the Anti-Narcotics squad said that plainclothes squads are now monitoring bus drivers more closely. Passenger cooperation, he added, will be crucial in strengthening the upcoming special drives against the menace.