Ten school students from Thrissur found themselves under scrutiny by Kerala's Excise Narcotic Enforcement Squad after mistakenly entering the squad's office in Adimaly, Idukki district, and asking for a matchbox to light a beedi rolled with ganja.
The students, who were on a study tour to Munnar, entered the building, thinking it was a workshop, The New Indian Express reported.
The incident occurred on Monday, October 21, when the students, after having breakfast at a nearby hotel, attempted to smoke the ganja beedi behind the hotel. Unaware of the building’s true nature, they entered the narcotics office through the back door and asked the resting officers for a matchbox. According to officials, the students failed to notice the name board of the Excise Narcotic Enforcement Squad and mistook the confiscated vehicles outside for those at a workshop.
Realizing their mistake upon seeing officers in uniform, the boys attempted to flee but were apprehended by the narcotics officials. During inspection, the squad recovered five grams of ganja and one gram of hashish oil from two students. Narcotic enforcement squad CI Raghesh B confirmed that the students had pooled their pocket money to purchase the ganja before starting their trip from Thrissur, with many of them trying it for the first time.
A case has been registered against the two students possessing the contraband. The school authorities were informed of the incident, and the parents of the two boys were summoned to the office in Adimaly. After counselling, the students were allowed to return with their parents. According to officials, the Juvenile Justice Board will now handle the case for further legal proceedings.