Ten students in Kerala walked into a building in Adimaly to ask for a matchbox to light a beedi rolled with ganja. What they mistook for a workshop turned out to be the office of the Narcotics Department, where officers were resting. Realising their grave mistake, the students tried to flee but were quickly apprehended by the authorities.
The students were part of a 100-member group from a government-aided school in Thrissur who were on a study tour to Munnar. During a stop at a hotel in Adimaly for food, a few students sneaked out and entered a nearby building from the back, mistakenly thinking it was a workshop.
The presence of several confiscated vehicles on the premises led the students to believe it was a workshop. They also missed the department’s signboard as they entered from the back of the building. It wasn’t until they saw officials in uniform that they realised they had actually walked into the office of the excise department.
“Thinking it was a workshop, the students entered the office through the back door and asked the officials who were resting for a matchbox. It was only when they noticed the officers in uniform that they realised their blunder,” The New Indian Express quoted Circle Inspector Raghesh B as saying.
Following this, they attempted to run but were caught by the officials.
According to reports, the minors had pooled their pocket money to purchase ganja from a peddler. During the search, officers seized five grams of marijuana and one gram of hashish oil from two of the students. They also recovered items used for preparing the contraband substances.
A case was registered against the two minors found in possession of the banned substances under relevant legal sections. Their parents were summoned, and the students were handed over to them.
The other students, who were not carrying any illegal substances, were counselled by the officers and sent back with their teachers. Many of these students admitted to smoking ganja for the first time.
Legal proceedings will be initiated against the students caught with contraband, and the case will be handled by the Juvenile Justice Board.