In a major bust by the city’s newly formed Anti-Drug Intelligence Unit (ADIU), seven individuals, including students, were arrested for manufacturing methamphetamine in a makeshift laboratory set up in a residence in Kodungaiyur. The suspects include Gnanapandian, 22, an MSc Chemistry student, and robotics engineering graduates Pravin Pranav, 21; Kishore, 21; Naveen, 22; and Dhanush, 23. Two others, Fleming Francis, 21, and Arunkumar, 22, were also involved.
The police seized 250g of methamphetamine, valued at approximately ₹10 lakh, along with two laptops, seven mobile phones, a chemical weighing machine, and an array of lab equipment, including test tubes, pipettes, burettes, raw chemicals, and jars. The group had converted Pravin’s house into a laboratory, sourcing chemicals from pharmaceutical firms, online portals, and the Sowcarpet area of Chennai. Initially, their parents believed they were conducting academic research.
The ADIU had been tracking the group for some time after receiving tips about suspicious activity at Pravin’s home. When officers raided the house, they discovered the meth lab and arrested all seven individuals. Police revealed that the students, frustrated with a low-quality drug batch purchased from a dealer named Arun, decided to produce methamphetamine themselves, relying on Gnanapandian’s chemistry expertise.
The group initially experimented with drug production and later began selling meth to college students and acquaintances. The investigation revealed that Kishore, one of the arrested, is the son of DMK councillor Katiravan from Meenjoor, as reported in OneIndia Tamil.
Following the arrests, Arun, who initially supplied the low-quality drugs, was also apprehended. The police are currently searching for another individual from the Red Hills area who reportedly supplied drugs to Arun. The entire operation has sent shockwaves through the local community.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to uncover any broader connections to criminal networks in other cities.
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