It seems Tamil Nadu has recently become a major hub for synthetic drug production and trafficking, with drug cartels operating with increasing audacity. These groups have been moving large quantities of narcotics, such as methamphetamines, using private vehicles adorned with party flags, and evading law enforcement while freely roaming the state. The rise in illegal drug operations has exposed the vulnerabilities in the state’s law enforcement system, especially after a massive bust that revealed methamphetamine manufacturing labs within Tamil Nadu itself.
In a significant operation by the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) of Greater Chennai Police, authorities seized 17 kilograms of methamphetamine worth an estimated ₹22 crore in the international market. This led to the dismantling of a methamphetamine production and distribution network, with ten individuals arrested, including a key suspect—a skilled methamphetamine cook and school dropout with a criminal history.
Further investigation uncovered a large drug operation that spanned across the region, leading to raids at various locations. A godown in Vadagarai near RedHills yielded another 15.8 kilograms of methamphetamine and assets valued at ₹5 crore. Among those arrested was Lakshmi Narasimhan, a known drug cook with a background in synthetic drug manufacturing, who was previously involved in a methamphetamine preparation operation in Aruppukottai, Virudhunagar district.
The operation, which began with the arrests of Venkatesan alias Rajesh and Karthi, led investigators to multiple locations tied to the drug network. The seizure included large quantities of methamphetamine and vehicles used for trafficking the drugs. Further investigations revealed the involvement of Prabhu Shanmugam and Murugan, who sourced pseudoephedrine—a key raw material for methamphetamine—from Haryana and Myanmar, further complicating the web of trafficking.
The investigation revealed a startling connection; Venkatesan had been sourcing methamphetamine from Manipur through an individual he befriended while serving a prison sentence for a narcotics-related case in Punjab. While a small lab was set up by his co-conspirators in Aruppukottai, Virudhunagar district, the bulk of the methamphetamine supply came from Manipur.
Venkatesan was involved in supplying pseudoephedrine to Shahul Hameed from Mannadi and Lakshmi Narasimhan from Madurai, while he supplied methamphetamine to Diwan Mohammed of Burma Bazaar. Following Diwan’s arrest by the Muthialpet police two months ago, Venkatesan began providing drugs to Diwan’s driver, Karthik, who was later arrested alongside Venkatesan.
Later, Shahul Hameed, Lakshmi Narasimhan, and several others, including Lawrence, Sarath Kumar, Murugan, and Venkatesan’s wife, Jancy Merida, were apprehended for their roles in aiding and abetting the drug trafficking operation. Additionally, Venkatesan’s former associates in a prior narcotics case, M Prabhu and RV Shanmugam, were also arrested. During the investigation, law enforcement uncovered significant wealth linked to the illicit activities, with assets worth ₹8 crore traced back to Shahul Hameed and Lawrence, highlighting the extent of their involvement in the narcotics trade.
In addition to these operations, several other drug-related arrests were made across the state. The DRI seized hydroponic ganja worth ₹1 crore from a passenger arriving from Thailand, and multiple drug seizures were made at Chennai’s airport and through operations targeting college students and migrant workers. Authorities have also discovered disturbing trends of law enforcement personnel being involved in drug trafficking, with arrests made of police officers accused of peddling narcotics.
These events reflect the increasing challenge law enforcement faces in Tamil Nadu as drug syndicates continue to operate with relative ease, using sophisticated networks to distribute narcotics and expand their reach. As the crackdown intensifies, authorities remain focused on dismantling these cartels and tackling corruption within their ranks.
(With Inputs From Organiser)
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