CHENNAI: In a major crackdown, Greater Chennai Police’s Anti-Drug Intelligence Unit (ADIU) dismantled a homemade methamphetamine lab in Kodungaiyur, leading to the arrest of six young science graduates. The accused, including chemistry and robotics engineering graduates, were producing and selling methamphetamine from a makeshift laboratory set up in one of their homes. Acting on specific intelligence, the ADIU raided the premises on October 23 and seized 250 grams of methamphetamine, along with laboratory equipment and chemicals.
வேதியியல் படிக்கும் மாணவரின் உதவியுடன் வீட்டிலேயே மெத்தபெட்டமைன் போதைப்பொருள் தயாரித்த 6 மாணவர்கள் கைது.
மாணவர்களின் அறிவுத்திறனை பாராட்டி அவர்களுக்கு வேதியலுக்கான நோபல் பரிசு அறிவிக்க வேண்டும்….🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/QEA631MX49
— Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian (Modi ka Pariwar) (@BS_Prasad) October 23, 2024
The arrested suspects, identified as Fleming Francis (21), Naveen (22), Pravin Pranav (21), Kishore (21), Gnanapandian (22), and Dhanush (23), reportedly ran the lab in secrecy. Among them, Gnanapandian is pursuing an MSc in chemistry, while the others are robotics engineering graduates. According to officials, the lab was operated from a room in the home of one of the suspects, without the knowledge of his family. The suspects had procured chemicals from local pharmaceutical and chemical shops in Chennai, suggesting possible links to suppliers in other cities, including Bengaluru.
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The ADIU’s investigation into drug peddlers operating in Chennai led to this raid. Officers seized a variety of laboratory tools, such as weighing machines, glass jars, test tubes, pipettes, burettes, and mobile phones. The ADIU believes that the group initially started by selling small quantities of methamphetamine procured from a supplier, but soon shifted to producing the drug themselves, inspired by the profits they could make. Reports indicate that one of the accused borrowed money from his parents under the pretext of starting a café to fund the lab’s setup.
Police sources likened the operation to scenes from the popular web series Breaking Bad, where similar drug-making activities are depicted. This incident has raised concerns about the involvement of educated youth in organized drug manufacturing and distribution, especially with methamphetamine production gaining a foothold in the region.
Related Arrest of High-Profile Suspect for Cocaine Possession
In a related operation, Chennai Police arrested three individuals, including a Nigerian national and the son of a former Director General of Police (DGP), for possession of cocaine. The special team from St. Thomas Mount Police detained Arun Ravindranathan, S. Magellan, and Nigerian national John Ezi in Nandambakkam, recovering 3.8 grams of cocaine and Rs. 1.02 lakh in cash.
#BREAKING | போதைப்பொருள் கடத்தல் – முன்னாள் டிஜிபி மகன் கைது#Methamphetamine | #FormerDGP | #ChennaiPolice pic.twitter.com/iz2iYWkP9O
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) October 25, 2024
Arun Ravindranathan, son of former DGP A. Ravindranath, was among the detainees. Ravindranath, who was appointed DGP in 2001, was notably the first person to be suspended from this office. His son’s involvement in this case has added a significant dimension to the ongoing anti-drug crackdown, as law enforcement aims to curb the rising tide of synthetic drug trafficking in Chennai.
Police Crackdown Highlights Growing Concerns
Greater Chennai Police have recently intensified their efforts to tackle synthetic drug operations. The ADIU has stepped up surveillance and action against drug manufacturing units and distribution rings, targeting suppliers and peddlers who are exploiting the rising demand for synthetic drugs among young adults.
Authorities are continuing investigations to uncover potential connections between the Kodungaiyur meth lab and drug networks in other cities. Police also suspect that similar labs may be operating undetected across Chennai, given the growing trend of local production of synthetic drugs.
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