Chennai: In a decisive move to curb the growing menace of drug trafficking, Tamil Nadu’s Director General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal convened a high-level meeting with key law enforcement and central agencies. The meeting focused on enhancing surveillance, strengthening inter-agency coordination, and tackling the emerging challenges in narcotics control.
Amidst an intensified crackdown on illicit narcotic smuggling and distribution, authorities have arrested numerous traffickers and seized large quantities of drugs, including cannabis, synthetic substances, and high-quality hydroponic ganja imported from abroad.
Multi-Agency Strategy to Combat Drug Trafficking
According to a statement from the DGP’s office, large quantities of ganja were seized in 2023 and 2024, most of which were intended for smuggling into Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu’s long coastline and numerous fishing villages provide multiple entry and exit points, making it a critical region for drug trafficking networks. To counter this, authorities have ramped up coastal surveillance and border security measures.
The meeting, attended by officials from the Enforcement Bureau CID, Coastal Security Group, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, and central agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Customs, Indian Coast Guard, and Indian Navy, discussed strategies to improve cooperation and intelligence-sharing.
DGP Shankar Jiwal emphasized the need for a sustained and effective approach to tackle narcotics smuggling, urging agencies to remain vigilant against the rise of synthetic drugs and organized crime syndicates involved in the trade.
Major Drug Busts and Arrests Across Tamil Nadu
Over the past two months, enforcement agencies have seized substantial amounts of narcotics and arrested several traffickers operating within Tamil Nadu. The arrests include small-scale peddlers, large-scale suppliers, and individuals linked to international drug cartels.
Valasaravakkam Bust: Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Subash, Aravind, and Karthik for possession of 1.5 grams of methamphetamine and ganja during a vehicle check.
Arakkonam Railway Station Raid: Police apprehended Rajesh, Jai Vignesh, Shakthi Kandaswamy, Vasu, and Akash on January 24, confiscating 850 drug tablets, five mobile phones, and a bike. The accused admitted to shifting their operations from Chennai Central to Arakkonam to avoid police scrutiny.
Egmore Railway Station Seizure: Two women from Assam, Niyati Roy and Saila Kanda, were arrested while carrying 13 kg of ganja. Investigations revealed they had previously worked in a massage parlor as a front for drug smuggling.
Major Narcotics Raid in Chennai: Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) officers arrested Ganesan, Ravi, Raja, and Ikas Mehandi (from Delhi), seizing five pistols, 25 kg of methamphetamine, Rs 50 lakh in cash, and a car.
Viswanathan’s Arrest: In October last year, Viswanathan from Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, was caught with 1 kg of meth. His supplies were traced back to an international drug cartel led by a dealer named Imran.
Rising Threat of Synthetic Drugs and High-Potency Ganja
Tamil Nadu law enforcement agencies have raised concerns about the increasing availability of high-quality synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy pills, and hydroponic ganja.
Puliyanthope Residence Raid: Police arrested Kalaivani for possession of 1.5 kg of ganja, while her husband, advocate Saravanan, remains absconding.
Choolaimedu Cocaine Seizure: ANIU officials arrested Fayaz Ahmed, a murder accused, and Chandrasekar, who was found with 3.93 grams of cocaine.
Chennai Drug Peddlers Caught: E. Vignesh and Jasvir Johnson were apprehended with meth, ganja, and ecstasy pills, while Baharul Islam and Mohibur Islam from Assam were found in possession of narcotics near Thiruvanmiyur.
Software Professionals and Dance Master Arrested: Police detained Nitish Kumar, Shakti Vasudevan (both software engineers), and Vinosh Anand (a dance master) for purchasing drugs from an absconding supplier named Amith.
Kodambakkam Bust: S. Dhannushkumar was caught with 85 drug tablets, while Ajay Fernandez was arrested on January 27.
Courier Drug Trafficking: On January 20, 30-year-old Vungliaching alias Rebekkah from Manipur was caught smuggling 8,100 Tapentadol Hydrochloride tablets, which she had collected from a courier service.
Tamil Nadu’s crackdown has also targeted smuggling routes through Chennai International Airport, where Customs officials have foiled six major attempts in recent months.
In January 2025, Customs officials arrested three passengers, including one woman, attempting to smuggle hydroponic ganja worth Rs 23.5 crore from Thailand. The drugs were hidden inside packages of frozen fruits. Earlier in the month, authorities seized 5.7 kg of hydroponic ganja and arrested two individuals.
Officials confirmed that hydroponic ganja contains a high concentration of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), making it as potent as synthetic drugs like methamphetamine.
Prison Smuggling and Notorious Criminal Arrests
Authorities have also uncovered drug operations involving prison inmates and organized crime figures.
Puzhal Central Prison Incident: John Batcha alias Anbarasan was caught with 35 grams of ganja and a mobile phone while being transported to court.
Rowdy Kathir’s Failed Escape: Infamous criminal Che Ra alias Rajendran, a former policeman involved in 14 cases, was arrested while attempting to flee. Police found five kilograms of ganja and a knife in his possession.
College Student Drug Bust: Nalin Fazid, Mayur, and students An-Riyan Soni, Mikan, and Ayan Khan were arrested for smuggling and selling cocaine, meth, and ganja in Choolaimedu.
With Tamil Nadu emerging as a major battleground in the fight against drug trafficking, law enforcement agencies have intensified surveillance at key transit points, railway stations, and coastal regions.
DGP Shankar Jiwal reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance policy on drug-related crimes, emphasizing that anyone involved in narcotics trade—regardless of status or background—will face stringent legal action. The collaborative efforts of police, central enforcement agencies, and border security forces are expected to further dismantle drug cartels and curb narcotics inflow into the state.
In a recent operation, Q Branch police discovered five parcels containing 10 kg of ganja near Dhanushkodi’s Theedai islet, while the Coast Guard’s roving team found 13 mysterious parcels carrying 53 kg of ganja along the shore. The seized contraband was handed over to Customs officials for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) foiled an attempt to smuggle 12 kg of hashish oil to the Maldives from Thoothukudi. Four individuals, including a CISF officer and a sailing vessel crew member, were arrested on January 23. Authorities found 12 containers of dark viscous hashish oil, valued at Rs 12 crore, hidden in their vehicle.
In another major bust, Chennai police on January 2 arrested V. Ganesan, T. Madhan, and S. Ravi and seized 39.01 kg of ketamine worth Rs 3 crore, Rs 51 lakh in cash, and 105 grams of gold jewelry. Further investigation led to the arrest of S. Raja and Sathiya Seelan alias Sathish, from whom police confiscated 1.4 kg of methamphetamine, five country-made pistols, 10 pistol magazines, and 79 bullets.
The dark web has also become a key platform for drug smuggling. Police recently apprehended Sara alias Maadu Sarath and Veeramani, who attempted to collect a consignment of narcotics worth Rs 3 lakh from a private courier service. The agency, suspecting foul play due to an incomplete delivery address, alerted authorities, leading to the arrest.
Additionally, Washermenpet police arrested Constable Arun Pandian on December 18 for his alleged involvement in smuggling methamphetamine and ganja. His co-conspirators remain at large.
