Synopsis
On March 6, the Greater Chennai Police escalated their operations against drug syndicates, resulting in the arrest of four suspects linked to heroin and methamphetamine trafficking. The police have initiated extensive statewide efforts to combat the drug crisis.Key Takeaways
- Four arrests made in Chennai drug operations.
- Police seized heroin and methamphetamine.
- Special squads formed to tackle drug networks.
- Increased surveillance on gyms due to drug concerns.
- Tamil Nadu is a key transit hub for international drug syndicates.
Chennai, March 6 (NationPress) The Greater Chennai Police have escalated their efforts against drug syndicates, leading to the arrest of four suspects.
In two distinct operations, three men from Assam were apprehended with illegal substances, including heroin, while another person involved in methamphetamine trafficking was taken into custody.
In the first operation, police from Egmore detained three individuals from Assam — Habibur Rahman (32), Dildar Hussain (22), and Reikibul Islam (20), all hailing from Nagaon district.
Acting on intelligence, officers intercepted the trio near the Egmore railway station and searched their belongings, uncovering three grams of heroin, eight grams of morphine, and two kilograms of gutka.
The suspects were subsequently presented before a magistrate and placed in judicial custody.
In a separate case, the Chetpet police apprehended a 25-year-old, R. Manikandan from Korattur, who was evading arrest in a methamphetamine trafficking case.
Officers seized three grams of methamphetamine from him. This arrest was part of a previous operation where four peddlers were detained on February 7, followed by the main suspect, S. Balahari (26), being captured on February 14.
The Tamil Nadu Police have intensified efforts against methamphetamine distribution, launching extensive operations statewide to combat the proliferation of this addictive substance.
Authorities have executed a series of arrests in both urban and rural locales, with several individuals caught attempting to sell methamphetamine, including to school children.
In reaction, Director General of Police (DGP) Sankar Jiwal has instructed all district police superintendents to establish and oversee special units dedicated to dismantling drug networks.
As part of their strategy, police are closely monitoring gyms and health clubs, where the use of methamphetamine has reportedly become a serious issue.
Recent investigations indicate that some gym-goers are obtaining the drug to alleviate muscle pain from rigorous workouts.
Tamil Nadu has become a significant transit point for international drug syndicates smuggling methamphetamine and its precursor, pseudoephedrine, to countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Australia, where demand is high.
In 2024 alone, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) confiscated methamphetamine valued at approximately ₹380 crore.
Investigators suspect these drugs originated from Myanmar and were destined for Sri Lanka.
In November 2024, Chennai Police achieved a significant milestone by arresting a Nigerian suspect, Philip, believed to be the mastermind of a prominent drug smuggling operation.
Philip allegedly orchestrated the importation of methamphetamine from Nigeria via courier and air routes.
To date, the Arumbakkam police have detained 12 individuals linked to this case.
Smuggling methamphetamine is highly profitable, with prices differing widely across various regions.
In Manipur, the drug costs between ₹50,000 and ₹1,00,000 per kilogram, while in Chennai, the price escalates to ₹7 lakh per kilogram.
In international markets, particularly in Sri Lanka and Australia, methamphetamine can command several crores per kilogram.
According to law enforcement, the drug is first transported from Myanmar to Manipur, where it is smuggled into Tamil Nadu by human carriers via train.
Once in Tamil Nadu, the drugs are hidden in vehicles and transported to coastal areas such as Rameswaram, Thoothukudi, and Nagapattinam.
Local fishing vessels then facilitate mid-sea transfers, smuggling the drugs into Sri Lanka across the porous maritime border.
Through ongoing operations and increased surveillance, law enforcement agencies are diligently working to dismantle these drug syndicates and address the escalating methamphetamine crisis in Tamil Nadu.
