Local Madurai News Tamil Nadu

Major Drug Seizure In Madurai; TN BJP Head Annamalai Slams DMK Govt Over Rising Drug Menace In Tamil Nadu

March 1, 2024
The Commune

The country was jolted by a startling revelation of drug smuggling through railways, as officials uncovered 30 kg of methamphetamine in Madurai. Acting on intelligence information, authorities targeted Pilliman Prakash, a passenger on the Pothigai Express train traveling from Chennai to Sengottai, suspecting him of carrying illicit substances. A raid conducted at the Madurai railway station successfully seized 30 kg of methamphetamine from Pilliman Prakash.

Concerning the methamphetamine drug seizure in Madurai, the operation was conducted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). While the mastermind behind the operation is still at large, the courier, Pilliman Prakash, has been apprehended.  Sources indicates that central agency will assume control of the investigation. The DRI, based in Chennai, carried out the operation on the Chennai-Madurai-Ramanathapuram route, specifically on the Pothigai Express with the help of RPF. Pilliman Prakash from Chennai, was caught in possession of 30 kg of methamphetamine valued at ₹50 crores.

The incident, where a significant quantity of drugs was found on a single individual in Madurai, has garnered widespread attention. Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into Pilliman Prakash’s background and the source of the drugs. The ongoing inquiry aims to determine his identity and trace the origin of the illicit substances.

Methamphetamine, a potent and high-grade drug, was the substance seized in this operation. Known for stimulating cranial nerves and inducing a euphoric mood, a powerful drug that affects the central nervous system. This white, odorless drug is reportedly circulating among college students and is known to induce appetite. Due to its solubility in water and alcohol, methamphetamine has been classified as a controlled substance in many countries.

This development comes on the heels of the recent apprehension of a drug smuggling ring in Madurai. Tamim Ansari (59) was found in possession of over 10 kg of methamphetamine and related raw materials during a police raid at his residence. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Anbu from Chennai and Arun from Trichy had been using Ansari’s house as a storage facility for drugs. The preliminary findings suggest that the trio has been involved in smuggling drugs valued at several crores into Tamil Nadu over the past three years, with a single gram of the substance fetching up to ₹ 5,000. The current significant seizure of drugs from a lone individual in Madurai adds a concerning dimension to the persisting issues associated with drug trafficking in the region.

Lately, there has been widespread coverage of news regarding the rampant circulation and seizures of drugs in Tamil Nadu. This has raised significant concerns within society, particularly regarding the heightened vulnerability of the youth to addiction, especially in a community already grappling with alcohol dependency. Having affiliations with political parties in power has attracted increased scrutiny and criticism from opposing political factions such as the BJP and AIADMK.

Against this backdrop, K Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP President, expressed his reaction on the incident through his official microblogging site X. In his statement, he accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government of turning Tamil Nadu into a haven for drug traffickers.

Annamalai stated, “TN has truly become the drug capital of India, and Thiru @mkstalin should hang his head in shame for transforming this State into a haven for drug traffickers. International Druglord & a DMK functionary Jaffar Sadiq is on the run; NCB is raiding DMK functionaries’ establishments, ₹1200 Crore worth on route to TN caught off the coast of Gujarat, and today 30 Kgs of methamphetamine was caught in transit in Madurai by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. While the widespread network of Jaffar Sadiq’s is being exposed, Thiru @mkstalin remains tight-lipped, leaving one to wonder if he would wake up & act or employ his cronies to divert people’s attention to insignificant issues.”

On 29 February 2024, BJP chief Annamalai urged the citizens of Tamil Nadu to unite with him in a collective effort. He made a plea to the people, emphasizing the importance of working together to create a drug-free society. Annamalai expressed frustration, noting that the repeated appeals to the DMK Government in Tamil Nadu have been ignored, suggesting that their loyalty lies with drug peddlers rather than the welfare of the common people.

In a concise 11-minute video, he addressed the alarming reports circulating in Tamil Nadu over the past 10 days. The video highlighted the increasing availability of drugs, specifically ganja and synthetic substances, in the state since the DMK assumed power. Concerns raised during the “En Mann En Makkal” yatra indicated widespread apprehension among women and parents, expressing a desire for a stringent crackdown on the drug issue, even in remote areas of Tamil Nadu.

The historical increase in drug usage over the past 33 months was underscored by recent news, affirming the assertion that the drug network extends beyond the realms of politics and cinema, reaching an international scale. The video implicated Jaffer Saaddiq, a DMK NRI wing functionary, as the head of a significant drug cartel, establishing connections with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Accusations were leveled against the DMK family, particularly their involvement in the release function of the accused, who also happens to own JSM Productions. In response to the unfolding news, the DMK reportedly panicked and swiftly removed a tweet with an associated image from their social media platform. Exploiting their party positions, Sadiq and his team purportedly orchestrated the dispatch of 45 consignments, amounting to 3500 kg valued at 2000 crores, of drugs to foreign countries.

In the video, Annamalai detailed the significant drug seizure off the Gujarat coast. Investigations disclosed that the traffickers were anticipating a boat from Tamil Nadu to receive the consignment. However, the arrest occurred before this transaction could take place. Annamalai raised concerns about the government’s perceived association with drug cartels, citing Jaffer Sadiq, who had reportedly received an award from the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP), questioning the efficacy of police actions in such circumstances.

Annamalai also highlighted the brutal actions of a DMK functionary, who viciously assaulted a private news reporter who had gone to cover the raids on the Nungambakkam courier company, Sahara Express, alleged to be linked with the drug supply cartel and owned by Chitrarasu of the DMK. Therefore, he deduced that the DMK government lacks the capability to regulate the drug situation in Tamil Nadu.

The film industry has evolved into a channel for transforming illicit funds into legal assets. Money sourced from the drug trade is funneled into the film sector, effectively converting it into legitimate income. Establishing close ties with the DMK’s primary family ensures the smooth release of movies without encountering obstacles. Additionally, maintaining friendships with prominent movie directors allows for press conferences to be conducted effortlessly. Building strong connections with the police results in receiving awards from the Director General of Police (DGP), and subsequently, taking photographs with the Chief Minister. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to address and resolve this issue.

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