Fearful Surge in Drug Abuse and Mass Murders in Kerala

The state of Kerala is now grappling with an alarming rise in drug abuse and its devastating consequences. In just two months of 2025, the state has witnessed a surge in brutal murders, many of which have involved close family members, with drugs playing a pivotal role in fueling these horrific acts.

The Kerala Police have been forced to confront a new reality where addiction is not only tearing apart families but also leading to increasingly violent and premeditated killings.

The rising drug abuse has had a direct correlation with an increase in violent crimes, especially within families.

In a series of chilling incidents, young men under the influence of drugs have brutally murdered their close relatives, leading to widespread fear and shock in the local community.

Mass Murder at Venjaramoodu

One of the most horrifying incidents took place in Venjaramoodu, Thiruvananthapuram, where a 23-year-old man named Afan allegedly carried out a mass murder on February 25, 2025.

The police have confirmed that there is “evidence of drug use” in this case, with the accused, Afan, confessing to killing six individuals, including his 13-year-old brother, grandmother, lover, and paternal uncle.

The victims were brutally attacked with grievous head injuries, and attempts were made to ransack the uncle’s home.

Afan later confessed to the crime at the Venjaramoodu police station. His mother survived the attack and is currently hospitalised.

The Murder of Subaida Kayikkal

Another horrific crime occurred in Puthuppady, Kozhikode, on January 18, 2025, when 25-year-old Ashiq, a known drug addict, brutally killed his mother, Subaida Kayikkal, 53.

According to police reports, Ashiq slashed his mother’s neck with a machete after an argument over money. Ashiq had been demanding money from Subaida, and when she refused, he killed her as “punishment for giving birth.”

 Subaida had tried to get help for Ashiq, spending over Rs 5 lakh on his treatment at de-addiction centers, but her efforts were in vain.

Also, read| Man Murdered In Ramanattukara, Kozhikode After Alleged Assault And Attack: Accused Arrested

These two brutal killings are just the tip of the iceberg in Kerala’s ongoing battle with drug addiction and its effects on families.

In another recent case, a young man from Vengara, Kozhikode, beat his mother to death, and the police have since arrested him and shifted him to a de-addiction center. The incident occurred on February 21, 2025, when the father of the accused was away from home.

In Malappuram, on February 21, 2025, a son killed his mother while the father went outside. The police are still investigating the case and have arrested the accused. The family, like many others, had been battling drug addiction for years.

In response to the growing concern, residents in areas like Adivaram in Thamarassery have demanded the establishment of a dedicated police station to address the increasing drug trafficking in the region.

The area has become a hotspot for drug-related activities, especially with drugs being smuggled in from Bengaluru.

Also, read| Mass Murder In Thiruvananthapuram: 23-Year-Old Arrested For Killing 5 People, One Injured

Local authorities are focusing on strengthening community vigilance and awareness campaigns to combat the problem. They also advocate for better monitoring of the rising drug abuse and its direct correlation with violent crimes.

The local community has implemented a ban on drugs in response to their alarming rise, and flex banners have been seen in local areas highlighting this measure.

Kerala has witnessed an exponential rise in drug abuse in recent years. Data shared by the police department reveals a disturbing trend, with the Ernakulam district leading the state in narcotic-related crimes.

Many cases remain unreported due to a lack of complaints filed by families or the impunity surrounding such incidents.

Between January 2023 and June 2024, 8,567 narcotic-related cases were registered in Ernakulam, making it the district with the highest number of drug-related offenses. The situation is no better in other districts such as Malappuram (5,906 cases) and Kozhikode (5,385 cases).

Last Updated on January 28, 2025

The total number of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases registered across the state stands at 41,531, with a significant rise in the number of drug peddlers and abusers.

According to the latest data released by the police, the Ernakulam district has the highest number of narcotic-related cases in the state, recording a staggering 8,567 cases between January 2023 and June 2024. This is followed by Malappuram with 5,906 cases and Kozhikode with 5,385 cases.

It was said that a new database would be prepared by the Kerala State Crime Records Bureau in collaboration with the intelligence wing.

This will be a crucial step towards tracking and analysing parricide cases more efficiently. Currently, parricide cases are categorized under general murder statistics, but the increasing number of violent crimes involving family members has prompted the police to reassess this approach.

This shift is aimed at ensuring that drug-related parricides are separately tracked for more targeted intervention strategies.