In a widening crackdown on drug networks, two Chennai police officers have been arrested within weeks for allegedly aiding meth (methamphetamine) trafficking. The latest arrest involves an officer linked to a suspect caught with drugs, as investigations uncover possible collusion among law enforcement officials.

Just a week after a city police constable was arrested for allegedly collaborating with methamphetamine traffickers, another officer was taken into custody by a special team from the City Police on 29 November 2024. James, a special team member under the T Nagar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), was arrested following an investigation linked to his associate, Surendar, who had been detained the previous day.

Surendar was found with 10 grams of methamphetamine at the time of his arrest, and James is being scrutinized for his involvement in assisting the drug dealers.

Both men have been handed over to Vadapalani police for further questioning. Sources within the police department revealed that James has named two other officers as part of the operation, and their roles are under investigation.

This latest arrest follows the earlier detention of R Bharani, a 32-year-old constable from the 2016 batch, who was arrested 10 days ago for his involvement in meth trafficking. Bharani, who had been assigned to the Aynavaram police station’s law and order division, was caught in a special operation conducted by the Neelankarai Police. The operation had already led to the arrest of three individuals, including a Cameroonian national from Bengaluru, after officers discovered Bharani had been regularly receiving payments from the drug network.

The methamphetamine bust resulted in the seizure of 51 grams of the substance from suspects Raghu, a cook, Kannan, a weaver from Arani near Thiruvannamalai, and Jonathan, the Cameroonian national. Police investigation revealed that Kannan had frequent contact with a number during late hours, which was traced back to Constable Bharani. Authorities are also probing whether Bharani had informed the criminals about police operations. Investigations into both officers’ roles in the drug network are ongoing.

(With Inputs From DTNext)

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The post Chennai Cop Nabbed In Meth Trafficking Web, Second Police Officer Arrested In Days appeared first on The Commune.

In a shocking revelation, the Tamil Nadu Intelligence Department has compiled a list of 850 police officials allegedly involved in drug trafficking. The list, handed over to Director General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal, has sent ripples through the state’s law enforcement ranks. The involvement of policemen in the drug trade has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and the central government, placing immense pressure on the Tamil Nadu administration.

The state has been grappling with the growing issue of drug smuggling, with narcotics being trafficked in from both foreign countries and other Indian states. Reports indicate that not only young adults but also school students are falling prey to drug addiction, contributing to a surge in crime across the region.

Both the central government and courts have expressed their dissatisfaction with Tamil Nadu’s handling of the drug crisis. The Madras High Court judges recently demanded a comprehensive report from the state government detailing the measures taken to combat drug trafficking. Judges voiced concern that the government’s response thus far has lacked seriousness, calling for urgent and effective action.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has vowed to take decisive steps in response to mounting pressure, setting a “Drug-Free Tamil Nadu” target. He convened high-level consultations with police authorities and ordered the formation of a new task force by merging the Narcotics Intelligence Unit and the Prohibition Enforcement Wing. This unit aims to crack down on drug smuggling in all its forms.

The unit has already made substantial progress. Last year, it conducted statewide operations that led to the arrest of 22,447 drug dealers and the seizure of 42,337 kg of ganja, 1.234 kg of heroin, 74,412 narcotic pills, and 223 kg of other substances. So far this year, 4,522 cases have been registered, resulting in the arrest of 7,123 individuals and the confiscation of 11,081 kg of ganja and 74,016 pills.

Despite these efforts, critics argue that the government’s actions have focused primarily on arresting small-time dealers, while larger drug networks remain untouched. Allegations of police collusion with drug gangs have gained traction, as several law enforcement officers have been implicated in high-profile cases. In one instance, Sridhar, a constable from the Race Course Police Station in Coimbatore, was arrested for assisting drug traffickers and receiving ₹1.60 lakh in bribes. Similarly, Erode Cyber Crime Sub-Inspector Mahendran was apprehended for aiding a notorious ganja dealer in Coimbatore.

The complicity of police officers has drawn widespread outrage, particularly after incidents like the raid in Nagapattinam, where 400 kg of ganja worth ₹4 crore, bound for Sri Lanka, was seized. Photos surfaced of Nagai Inspector Periyasamy dining with members of the same smuggling gang he had supposedly targeted, fueling public distrust.

As intelligence efforts intensified, the 850-name list emerged, prompting swift action at the highest levels of government. A top official remarked, “Drug trafficking is a crime that destabilizes the country and destroys future generations. We have advised the government to take strict action against the guilty, setting an example for others.”

Amid this crackdown, police raids targeting students have been conducted statewide. In Katangulathur, near Chennai, over 500 officers raided private hostels and residences around a well-known college, confiscating ganja and gutka. A similar operation in Neelampur, near Coimbatore, involved 200 officers who seized drugs and weapons, including knives and sickles, from students’ homes.

In Chennai’s Perumbakkam area, where more than 20,000 families reside in Urban Habitat Development Board housing, 300 officers raided 1,400 homes to investigate drug distribution.

A joint raid by the State Narcotics Control Unit and Railway Police at Chennai Central Railway Station has, however, been met with skepticism, with critics calling it a mere formality.

BJP TN Slams DMK Govt, Asks Accountability From CM Stalin

The Tamil Nadu BJP has launched a fierce attack on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and his government, alleging that 850 police officers and government officials are complicit in drug trafficking networks. These revelations, reportedly from the Tamil Nadu Intelligence Department, have sparked outrage, with the BJP accusing the ruling DMK of mismanagement and failing to combat the escalating drug problem in the state.

The controversy began when reports emerged suggesting that numerous police officers, tasked with enforcing law and order, were allegedly involved in facilitating drug crimes. The BJP criticized Stalin’s administration, claiming that the so-called “Dravidian model” has led to governance failure, as drug trafficking and violent crimes have surged since the DMK came to power. They highlighted the detrimental impact on young people, particularly school and college students, many of whom have fallen victim to drug abuse.

வேலியே பயிரை மேய்ந்தது போலான திராவிட மாடல் ஆட்சி !

தமிழகத்தில் போதைப் பொருள் கடத்தலையும், ஊடுருவலையும் தடுக்க வேண்டிய தமிழக காவல்துறை மற்றும் அரசு அதிகாரிகளில் சுமார் 850 பேர், போதைப் பொருள் கடத்துபவர்களுக்கு உடந்தையாக இருந்ததாக வெளியாகியுள்ள தகவல் தமிழக மக்களை… pic.twitter.com/C8iTbnaETp

— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) September 18, 2024

The BJP condemned the alleged complicity of law enforcement officers, describing it as a betrayal of public trust and a “dark” situation for Tamil Nadu. They questioned the integrity of a system where officers are reportedly accepting commissions from drug lords. In a direct appeal to Stalin, the BJP demanded accountability for the allegedly corrupt officers and immediate action against them, warning that mere transfers would not suffice.

𝟖𝟓𝟎 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐝𝐮’𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐌 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐮 @𝐦𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐯𝐥'𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 & 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?

Alarming and deeply shameful! Recent press… https://t.co/g4qIOKWaRl

— Dr. Arvind Menon (@MenonArvindBJP) September 18, 2024

The party called for decisive measures to protect Tamil Nadu’s youth and criticized the government’s responses as “meaningless raids” and empty promises. They also referenced the Madras High Court’s concerns over the government’s handling of the drug crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency and stronger enforcement. The BJP’s statement reflects rising public alarm regarding the state’s drug epidemic and corruption within its law enforcement agencies.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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The post Dinamalar Report Says 850 Police Officers Allegedly Complicit In Drug Trafficking In TN, BJP TN Slams Dravidian Model And Demands Accountability From CM Stalin appeared first on The Commune.