Chennai: In a sweeping crackdown on drug trafficking, the Greater Chennai Police have arrested a Nigerian national and uncovered an extensive Bengaluru-based methamphetamine network, alongside multiple related busts in Chennai and surrounding regions. The series of operations over recent weeks have led to a total of 15 arrests, including several prominent figures connected to narcotics distribution networks in India.
Nigerian National Apprehended in Bengaluru-Based Methamphetamine Ring
The police identified and arrested William Joseph, a Nigerian national, on charges of smuggling and possession of narcotics. Joseph had been on law enforcement’s radar for some time and was finally apprehended in Bengaluru. He was subsequently transported to Chennai for interrogation and then remanded to judicial custody.
The breakthrough in Joseph’s arrest reportedly stemmed from information provided by two men, Rajesh Kumar and Sai Balaji, who had been detained in October. Joseph’s arrest brought the total count of individuals apprehended in this particular cartel to ten, marking a significant step in dismantling a methamphetamine distribution network in Bengaluru.
Alongside Joseph, the Chennai Police apprehended two local drug peddlers and five additional suspects identified as Riswan, Shah Rukh Batcha, Syed Noor, Nitin, and Arun Kumar. Police seized a considerable haul, including Rs. 19,000 in cash, five mobile phones, and an array of narcotics, including methamphetamine and ganja valued at approximately Rs. 4.25 lakh. The arrests mark an intensifying effort by law enforcement to curb the circulation of methamphetamine, which has become increasingly prevalent in urban drug markets.
TV Actress Linked to Methamphetamine Cartel
In another major development, a police special team detained Tyson from Bengaluru and Pavan from Chandigarh for their alleged role in supplying methamphetamine to TV serial actress K. Esther, also known as Meena. Esther, who was apprehended three days prior, allegedly sourced methamphetamine from Pavan and a rare cannabis strain, Malana cream, from Tyson. Both men have been remanded to police custody as investigations continue to probe deeper into this network.
Malana cream, a potent cannabis strain cultivated in the Malana Valley of Himachal Pradesh, has gained popularity in underground circles, particularly in metropolitan areas. Law enforcement officials believe that this high-profile arrest could help trace similar supplies and potentially reveal further links within the industry.
Chennai Airport Narcotics Control: 1.5 kg of High-Grade Cannabis Seized
A separate operation at Chennai Airport by Chennai’s Narcotics Control Special Police intercepted 1.5 kg of high-quality cannabis valued at around Rs. 80 lakh. The cannabis, believed to be destined for sale among college students and IT sector workers, was smuggled from Thailand to Chennai via Delhi. The airport surveillance team identified Mohammad Farooq, a 30-year-old from Mannadi, Chennai, as he arrived on an Indigo Airlines flight from Delhi.
Farooq’s initial questioning led to the discovery of a concealed package of high-grade cannabis in his belongings. Police reported that Farooq admitted his role as a carrier, revealing that he had been dispatched to Thailand by two associates from Chennai and instructed to return through Delhi to avoid suspicion. Further examination of Farooq’s mobile phone records revealed two additional suspects in Chennai, who were subsequently apprehended during a staged meeting at Chennai Airport.
Smuggling Tactics Uncovered: Drugs Concealed in Snack Packets
In another remarkable case, Chennai police apprehended three men, including two brothers—Mohammed Yusuff and Haroon—and their friend Fraook, all hailing from Kodungaiyur, for smuggling high-quality ganja valued at Rs. 50 lakh. The suspects allegedly managed to evade airport detection at Bangkok, Delhi, and Chennai by concealing the narcotics inside snack packets.
According to police officials, the three men aroused suspicion due to the unusually large number of snack packets in their luggage. When questioned, they struggled to explain why they had imported the items when similar snacks were readily available in India. A detailed search revealed that the ganja was wrapped in polythene and hidden inside 13 of the snack packets. The men later confessed to procuring the contraband from a store in Bangkok known as “Ganja Station” and attempting to bypass scrutiny by flying through Delhi before arriving in Chennai.
Repeat Offenders with a Record of Ganja Smuggling
Police confirmed that the three suspects had prior records related to ganja smuggling from neighboring states. Periame Police had previously booked the trio for similar offenses, raising concerns about the persistence of cross-border smuggling networks and the increasing sophistication in evading detection. This case is viewed as a significant escalation in drug-smuggling techniques, and authorities are now focusing on tracking similar distribution patterns across other major Indian cities.
DRI’s Major Gold Seizure at Chennai Airport
Alongside these drug-related arrests, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) achieved a major success in curbing gold smuggling. Acting on a tip-off, DRI officials conducted an overnight operation at Chennai International Airport, seizing nearly 20 kg of 22-carat gold worth an estimated Rs 15 crore from 25 passengers who had arrived from Singapore on three different flights.
Officials detained passengers from Scoot Airways, Air India, and Indigo flights, uncovering gold hidden in pouches sewn into their clothing. Among the passengers, two were carrying over a kilogram of gold each, while the remaining individuals possessed smaller quantities. In total, 25 passengers, including eight women, were detained for their involvement with gold-smuggling cartels.
Investigation into Potential Airport Security Breach
DRI and customs officials are investigating the possibility of collusion among airport staff, as the coordinated effort involving 25 individuals carrying significant amounts of gold on the same night suggests the possibility of an internal security breach. Officials are also examining links between the detained passengers and established smuggling cartels, with a focus on how these networks have evaded customs checks on previous occasions.
Intensified Crackdown on Smuggling Networks
The recent arrests across Chennai underscore the city’s growing prominence as a hub for both drug and gold smuggling. These operations, led by coordinated teams within the Greater Chennai Police and DRI, are part of an ongoing effort to dismantle these networks. Law enforcement authorities have also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as they continue to crack down on smuggling operations across the region.
Comments