In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the Narcotics Control Unit of Chennai’s North Zone has arrested 12 individuals, including a professional dancer who recently performed alongside actor Vijay in the film G.O.A.T. and appeared in Rajinikanth’s movie Coolie. The arrests were made in the Ashok Nagar area following a tip-off about large-scale drug distribution.
The investigation was led by Inspector Raja Singh and Assistant Inspector Jayaraj. Based on intelligence, the team initiated a covert operation after learning that drugs were being widely sold in the locality. Acting on the tip, officers contacted a suspected dealer named Yuvaraj, who instructed them to collect the narcotics from an associate named Praveen.
Surveillance was set up near Bhajanai Koil Street, under Ashok Nagar police jurisdiction. As planned, Praveen arrived at the location carrying methamphetamine. Upon being apprehended, officers found 2 grams of the drug in his possession.
During questioning, Praveen disclosed that he lived at Shiva Temple Street in Vadapalani and worked as a background dancer in the film industry. He revealed he had performed in group dance sequences for the movie G.O.A.T. starring Vijay. He also admitted to supplying drugs to colleagues in the entertainment industry who requested them. Praveen had been sourcing the narcotics from Yuvaraj, a friend and former BBA classmate from a private college they both attended in 2021 and selling them at inflated prices.
Following further investigation, the police arrested Bharath (22), a B.Com student from a private college near Pillayar Temple Street in Vadapalani. Based on information provided by Bharath, authorities tracked down and arrested additional suspects, including Yuvaraj (27), a private bank employee, Lokesh Kumar (21) a B.Com student at Chennai University, Vigneswaran (22) a B.Tech student at a private university, Sampath Kumar (21) and Raghu (25) a Viscom student and film industry dancer.
From the group, police recovered 7 grams of methamphetamine, 2 grams of ketamine, 6 LSD strips, and 10 grams of ganja (marijuana). The arrested individuals include several students and dancers with alleged connections to the local film industry.
Officials confirmed that more names have emerged during the investigation, and further arrests are expected as the Narcotics Control Unit continues to expand its probe into the network.
(With inputs from Dinakaran)
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