The Metropolis Police carried out shock inspections in spas and therapeutic massage parlours throughout the State capital on Sunday, amid rising issues over unlawful actions, together with the trafficking of narcotic substances.

The raids come within the wake of a serious drug bust final week, through which the Attingal police arrested three people, together with a lady worker of a spa in Kazhakuttom, for alleged possession of 52 grams of MDMA.

Investigators suspect the girl, a local of Palakkad, to be a key determine in a bigger drug community working via spas within the area. She was apprehended with a racketeer identified to visitors artificial medicine from Bengaluru.

The crackdown was spurred by a Particular Department report warning of potential drug commerce and different shady dealings being carried out underneath the guise of spa and wellness providers. The report additionally pointed to doable labour violations, together with the hiring of underage employees and the exploitation of workers, particularly in institutions frequented by vacationers.

In a coordinated operation, police groups inspected round 25 institutions throughout Thiruvananthapuram, together with areas in Kovalam, Thampanoor, Medical School and Kazhakuttom. The amenities have been chosen at random, official sources stated.

Whereas no main contraband or criminal activity was uncovered in the course of the raids, one spa in Thampanoor was discovered to be working with out a necessary registration from the Thiruvananthapuram Company. The police have acknowledged that the civic physique will likely be notified for acceptable motion in opposition to the unregistered institution.

District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram Metropolis) Thomson Jose stated that the inspections have been organised to unearth a variety of unlawful actions. The operation was additionally introduced underneath the purview of the Kerala Police’s ongoing anti-narcotics marketing campaign ‘D-Hunt’.

He added that the particular drive will not be a one-time measure, however will likely be a part of a sustained effort to make sure spas and comparable wellness centres function inside the authorized framework.

“We’ll proceed to watch and study such amenities. This particular drive will likely be a steady course of,” he asserted.