The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested four people, including N Boopalan, a 42-year-old advocate and functionary of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in connection with the seizure of approximately 135 kg of methamphetamine in Nagapattinam district. The synthetic narcotic, reportedly worth several hundred crore rupees in the international market, was allegedly intended to be smuggled to Sri Lanka.
The arrests followed intelligence inputs about an alleged international narcotics trafficking operation. On October 16, DRI officials from the Tiruchirappalli zone searched premises in the district and recovered the contraband from the residence of Boopalan’s associate, J. Suganathan, near Prathabaramapuram. Boopalan and three other men were arrested in connection with the case, according to media reports.
Boopalan was a member of the TVK’s Nagapattinam district executive committee and had reportedly worked at Kilvelur Assembly constituency during the 2026 elections. Following his arrest, the party removed him from its primary membership.
The seizure has triggered a political confrontation in Tamil Nadu, with DMK leaders questioning the TVK government’s commitment to eradicating narcotics and demanding a wider investigation into the alleged trafficking network.
Udhayanidhi Stalin and Kanimozhi have called for central agencies to investigate the case, while critics of the DMK have pointed to the earlier drug-trafficking allegations involving former DMK functionary Jaffer Sadiq.
Udhayanidhi Stalin questions Vijay’s anti-drug campaign
Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin, criticised Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay over the arrest, contrasting the seizure with the TVK leader’s public campaign against narcotics.
In a post on X, Udhayanidhi questioned how a party functionary could allegedly be involved in a drug-smuggling operation while the Chief Minister was publicly advocating the eradication of drugs and promoting sports.
He said several lakhs of rupees in cash had reportedly been seized and raised questions about Boopalan’s alleged associates, the source of the consignment and whether it was intended for destinations beyond Sri Lanka. He also called on the NIA and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to conduct a thorough investigation and identify everyone involved.
தமிழ்நாட்டில் இதுவரை இல்லாத அளவுக்கு வேதாரண்யத்தில் பல நூறு கோடி ரூபாய் மதிப்பிலான சுமார் 135 கிலோ மெத்தபெட்டமைன் போதைப்பொருளை இலங்கைக்குக் கடத்த முயன்ற த.வெ.க. நிர்வாகி பூபாலனை ஒன்றிய அரசின் வருவாய் புலனாய்வுத்துறை கைது செய்துள்ளது பெரும் அதிர்ச்சி அளிக்கிறது.
‘முதலமைச்சர்…
— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) October 16, 2026
Kanimozhi demands investigation into alleged wider network
DMK Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi also questioned the TVK government over the alleged involvement of its functionary in the case.
In her post on X, she asked how such a large quantity of methamphetamine could have been stored and who might have supported the accused. She alleged that the operation could not have taken place without wider backing and urged the Union Government to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
Kanimozhi also referred to an earlier controversy involving a TVK minister, alleging that the Chief Minister had protected the minister when his name surfaced in a drug-related case. That allegation requires independent verification and is distinct from the present investigation.
பூபாலன் எனும் தவெக நிர்வாகியிடமிருந்து 135 கிலோ மெத்தபெட்டமைன் போதைப் பொருள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.
போதைக் கலாசாரத்தை ஒழிப்பேன் என வீரவசனம் பேசியவர்கள் இன்றைக்குப் போதைப் பொருளை ‘ஒளித்து’ வைத்துத் தமிழ்நாட்டைச் சீரழித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள்.
தனது அமைச்சர் ஒருவர் மீது…
— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) October 17, 2026
Jaffer Sadiq case brings earlier drug-trafficking controversy back into focus
The latest seizure has also revived comparisons with the 2024 case involving Jaffer Sadiq, a former DMK functionary and film producer who was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection with an alleged international drug-trafficking network.
In March 2024, the NCB arrested Sadiq in a case involving the alleged smuggling of pseudoephedrine, a chemical used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Investigators said the network had allegedly sent consignments concealed in food-grade cargo to Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.
The agency reported that approximately 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine, valued at more than Rs 2,000 crore in the international market, was involved in the alleged operation.
The ED subsequently opened a money-laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In September 2024, the agency announced the attachment of assets worth approximately ₹55.3 crore linked to Sadiq and associates in connection with the probe.
Sadiq’s case became a major political issue in Tamil Nadu because of his former association with the DMK. Critics have now cited that case while challenging the DMK’s criticism of the TVK over the latest seizure.
The NIA could examine any evidence of links to terror organisations if such links emerge, while the ED could investigate suspected proceeds of crime and illegal financial transactions if the statutory requirements are met.
