CHENNAI: In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, Chennai police have arrested Ali Khan Tughlaq, the son of Tamil film villain actor Mansoor Ali Khan, in connection with a narcotics network operating in the city. Tughlaq was reportedly involved with a group of drug peddlers who have been trafficking ganja (cannabis) and other narcotics. His arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing battle against drug abuse and trafficking in Tamil Nadu.
The police operation, led by the JJ Nagar Police, followed a series of recent arrests and intelligence operations targeting a widespread drug cartel. Ali Khan Tughlaq, along with several others, was arrested after investigations revealed his links to narcotics traffickers and his frequent communication with drug dealers. Police have confirmed that Tughlaq engaged in cash transactions with these individuals, further implicating him in the illegal drug trade.
This arrest is part of a broader effort by Tamil Nadu law enforcement to crack down on drug trafficking, particularly the sale of ganja and methamphetamine in Chennai. Police have been investigating an extensive network that includes college students, methamphetamine dealers, and individuals with ties to international trafficking syndicates.
Police Action and Drug Seizures
The arrest of Ali Khan Tughlaq came shortly after a significant operation by the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU), which led to the seizure of over 850 kg of ganja. This is one of the largest drug seizures in the region in recent months. Police have arrested a number of individuals in connection with this operation, which has disrupted a major drug trade network.
The ANIU’s operation began on November 4, when five individuals, including Mohammed of Mannadi and his brother Jeyamujin, were arrested for selling ganja and other narcotic drugs through a mobile app. The authorities tracked their activities by collecting mobile phone numbers and call details from the arrested suspects. These led to a fresh list of drug peddlers and consumers, including Ali Khan Tughlaq, who had frequent contact with the dealers and was involved in cash transactions.
On November 30, the ANIU team also seized ganja oil from two college students in Kattankulathur, both of whom were from Kerala. These students had been involved in distributing ganja oil, and the subsequent investigation revealed that Ali Khan and others had been in regular contact with these peddlers.
Growing Drug Trade in Chennai
In addition to the ganja network, Chennai police have also uncovered a methamphetamine trafficking racket. The Ashok Nagar police arrested five individuals, including a Senegalese national, Victor Wade, on charges of possessing and selling methamphetamine in the city. Among those arrested were Sunil (also known as Jaya Prakash) from Bengaluru, Pushpendra Singh from Rajasthan, and Naimullah from Bengaluru. Police recovered a total of 59 grams of methamphetamine from the trio.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Nirmal Prince from Coimbatore and the seizure of an additional 10 grams of methamphetamine. Authorities have indicated that the methamphetamine seized is part of a larger network of international drug trafficking that has been operating across various regions of India.
Links to Larger Drug Cartels
In another significant development, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Chennai Zone unit successfully dismantled a ganja trafficking cartel operating along the Andhra-Odisha border. The NCB seized 848 kg of ganja, valued at approximately Rs. 4.25 crore, from a container truck near the Chennai toll plaza. The drugs were hidden under bags of red chillies in the truck. Three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure, including the alleged kingpin of the operation.
This bust highlights the growing scale of drug trafficking in the region and the increasingly sophisticated methods used by cartels to move narcotics. The NCB has been working closely with local police and intelligence agencies to disrupt these operations, which often involve cross-border smuggling networks.
Collusion Among Law Enforcement and Traffickers
The drive against narcotics has intensified in Tamil Nadu, but recent arrests and revelations of corruption within law enforcement agencies have raised concerns. According to reports, two police officers—James, a constable stationed at the T Nagar Deputy Commissioner’s office, and R Barani from Ayanpuram police station—were arrested for their involvement in smuggling activities. Both officers were found to be colluding with drug traffickers, tipping them off about upcoming raids in exchange for narcotics.
In a related incident, NCB officers Aanndan and Sameer were detained for questioning over their involvement in methamphetamine trafficking. The investigation revealed that these officers had been working with the trafficking syndicates and providing sensitive information to the drug dealers. The collusion between law enforcement and drug cartels has raised alarms about the integrity of anti-drug operations in the region.
Impact of Recent Arrests and Operations
The recent arrests and drug busts have drawn significant attention to the growing drug trade in Chennai and Tamil Nadu. The authorities are grappling with the challenge of controlling the rising tide of narcotics, which is increasingly targeting young people, including students and factory workers. Many of the drug networks focus on areas with high concentrations of college students and workers, where demand for cheap and easily accessible drugs is high.
The Prohibition Enforcement Wing (EPW) recently arrested five individuals, including Kanchan Paul from West Bengal, for smuggling ganja in Sriperumpudhur, Oragadam, and Ambattur. The arrested individuals were involved in selling ganja to factory workers and students at affordable prices. Authorities say that Paul, who had been trafficking drugs for years, had smuggled ganja from various states, including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. He had recently sold nearly 10 kg of ganja, targeting vulnerable populations.
Larger National and International Operations
The issue of narcotics trafficking is not limited to Tamil Nadu. The NCB has been involved in several national and international operations. In October, the NCB arrested Manivannan, a native of Moreh in Manipur, who was part of a drug network stretching from northeastern India to Sri Lanka. Manivannan’s arrest led to the seizure of 1.9 kg of methamphetamine and the arrest of a Sri Lankan national, Vijayakumar, along with two others, for trafficking meth to Sri Lanka.
On a larger scale, the Indian and Sri Lankan navies recently seized approximately 500 kg of crystal methamphetamine from two fishing vessels in the Arabian Sea. This operation, conducted with intelligence shared by the Sri Lankan Navy, underscores the global nature of the methamphetamine trade and the need for coordinated international efforts to combat it.
