In Ramanathapuram district, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized a car containing crystal methamphetamine and ganja oil worth ₹160 crore and arrested two people who were attempting to smuggle the contraband from Chennai to Sri Lanka via Ramanathapuram district.
The DRI officials received information that drugs were being smuggled into Sri Lanka via the Maraikayarpatnam beach near Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district. Based on the inputs, a team of DRI officials from Madurai, Trichy, and Tuticorin have been conducting raids in the Ramanathapuram district for the past five days.
In this scenario, DRI officials conducting night rounds in Ramanathapuram district stopped and searched a car from Chennai that had driven suspiciously through the Pogalur toll gate near Chatrakudi last night. When the two people in the car were interrogated, they gave contradictory answers. It was later discovered that they were smuggling drugs to Sri Lanka when the car was searched.
Later, DRI officials notified local police, who arrived on the scene and arrested the two suspects. After taking both of them into custody and conducting an investigation, it was discovered that the drugs are worth up to ₹160 crores.
Following an investigation by local police, they were both taken to the Ramanathapuram customs office and interrogated until this evening. An investigation revealed that they were transporting 50 kg of cannabis oil and 38 kg of crystal methamphetamine, both of which are internationally known drugs. Customs officials estimate the international value to be ₹160 crore.
The two smugglers, identified as Leo Bhagyaraj (39), and Thanasekaran (32), both from Chennai, were brought before the Ramanathapuram Judicial Magistrate. They both confessed to the crime and told the court that they had smuggled the drug from Chennai by car and were on their way to deliver it to a resident of Maraikayar Pattinam, near Mandapam.
Smuggling continues unabated in Tamil Nadu despite the presence of numerous security agencies, including central and state intelligence agencies, the Indian Coast Guard, the Indian Navy, Customs, the Tamil Nadu Marine Police, and local police.
Crystal meth is the common name for crystal methamphetamine, a strong and highly addictive drug that affects the central nervous system. There is no legal use for it. It comes in clear crystal chunks or shiny blue-white rocks. Also called “ice” or “glass,” it’s a popular party drug. Usually, users smoke crystal meth with a small glass pipe, but they may also swallow it, snort it, or inject it into a vein. People say they have a quick rush of euphoria shortly after using it. But it’s dangerous. It can damage the body and cause severe psychological problems.
(With inputs from Hindu Tamil)
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