The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) announced on 22 February 2024 the dismantling of an LSD cartel utilizing the dark net for narcotics distribution. The operation led to the seizure of 4,343 blots valued at ₹1 crore, with the apprehension of the mastermind in Salem and 15 individuals from various states. This marks the largest confiscation since August of the previous year when around 14,000 LSD blots were seized from the Zambada cartel in the Delhi region.
The alleged mastermind, Balaji, aged 50, delved into the darknet during the Covid pandemic, creating the account ‘harekrishna4u’ to acquire LSD stamps using cryptocurrency, as stated by NCB’s Chennai zone director, P Aravindhan. “Balaji sourced LSD stamps from Germany and distributed them to his darknet ‘friends’ located in different parts of the country,” he explained. The contraband was discreetly couriered through India Post, camouflaged as photo frames and books. Balaji, previously arrested by Karnataka police in a narcotics case, established the new darknet ID after being released on bail in November last year.
Aravindhan disclosed that NCB had been actively working on this operation since January, resulting in simultaneous arrests in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Jaipur, Kochi, and Surat. The arrested individuals included businessmen, MNC workers, assistant directors in Bollywood, and graduates from reputable institutions, with eight arrests made in Kochi. Besides the arrests and seizures, 18 bank accounts linked to the accused have been frozen.
Did this get covered in Tamil media?? pic.twitter.com/r2v1J3G1Xp
— മുരളി (@muralewrites) March 6, 2024
LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a synthetic drug known for its mind-altering effects. Consumption of LSD can lead to increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and regular exposure may result in impaired judgment, seizures, tremors, psychosis, and nausea.
It is noteworthy that Aravindan was the batchmate of Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party president K Annamalai.
Puzzle Solved…scrolled a bit and saw this pic… Annamalai with Aravindan,IPS, Zonal Director NCB Chennai.
Birds of a feather 🪶🪶🪶
😊 https://t.co/iEpCqF0zIM pic.twitter.com/R0i7ASIrQ8
— Raman 𝕏 (@SaffronDelhite) March 6, 2024
After DMK’s former NRI wing office bearer Jaffer Sadiq was found to be the kingpin of a massive drug racket, there has been a state-wide crackdown on drugs by the Central agencies. A raid conducted at the Madurai railway station led to successful seizure 30 kg of methamphetamine from Pilliman Prakash.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence conducted a well-coordinated operation resulting in the confiscation of a combined 36 kg of the drug. This included a seizure of the substance from a rail passenger at Madurai railway station and an additional six kg recovered from the Kodungaiyur dump yard in Chennai, as reported by the central agency. Authorities seized methamphetamine with a street value of ₹180 crore, intended for transportation to Sri Lanka.
A total of 36 kg of the drug was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence – from the rail passenger at the Madurai railway station, and another six kg from the Kodungaiyur dump yard in Chennai – in a meticulously planned operation, the central agency said.
Many on social media expressed concerns of a growing and casual prevalence of drug availability in different parts of Tamil Nadu.
Some Of The Recent Drug Busts In Tamil Nadu
- On 24 February 2024, DMK functionary and Tamil film producer Jaffar Sadiq was identified as the mastermind behind an organized international drug syndicate, responsible for smuggling Pseudoephedrine valued at ₹2000 Crore over the past three years.
- On 28 February 2024, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) intercepted and confiscated narcotics worth ₹1200 Crore intended for transfer and transportation to Tamil Nadu in the open seas.
- On 1 March 2024, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized Methamphetamine worth ₹180 Crore in Madurai.
- On 5 March 2024, hashish valued at ₹108 Crore was confiscated by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in Rameswaram.
- In January 2024, Chennai city police have dismantled a drug trafficking network involving Nigerians, a South African, and local businessmen, arresting seven suspects. Seized items include 107 small packets of cocaine, one kilogram of cocaine, ₹2 lakh in cash, and six mobile phones, with investigations revealing the drug’s origin from African cities, including Addis Ababa and Nairobi.
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