Ramanathapuram police have busted an alleged methamphetamine manufacturing unit and distribution network operating from a lathe workshop in Ilayangudi, Sivaganga district, arresting nine drug peddlers, including the suspected Chennai-based mastermind, and seizing 3.100 kg of methamphetamine worth around ₹15 crore.
The crackdown also led to the seizure of precursor chemicals, laboratory equipment and other materials used to manufacture the synthetic drug, while police suspect the network was supplying narcotics across southern Tamil Nadu and planning to smuggle consignments to Malaysia.
According to reports, the clandestine laboratory had been functioning inside a lathe workshop in Ilayangudi. Four of the accused were allegedly planning to smuggle the narcotic to Malaysia. The drugs and three mobile phones were seized from them.
மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் மற்றும் மதிப்பிற்குரிய காவல்துறை தலைமை இயக்குநர் ஆகியோரின் உத்தரவின்படி, போதைப்பொருள் குற்றவாளிகள் மற்றும் விற்பனையாளர்களுக்கு எதிராக மாநில அளவிலான சிறப்பு நடவடிக்கை மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டு வருகிறது. மேலும் விவரங்களுக்கு: https://t.co/iCUK10NhTX pic.twitter.com/1qztAt1xn0
— Ramanathapuram District Police (@RmdDistPolice) July 31, 2026
The Ramanathapuram Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), acting on specific intelligence received on July 27, conducted an operation near the Ramanathapuram Municipality water tank and arrested Jabish (25), a resident of Chetticharvilai, Marthandam, who was working in Ramanathapuram. Officers seized one gram of methamphetamine from his possession.
During interrogation, Jabish allegedly revealed that he had purchased the drug from Mohammad Umarul Zameen (22) and Mohammad Aslam (22).
Acting immediately on the information, the ANTF team raided their house on Mosque Street in Karikkoottam, arrested both accused and seized eight grams of methamphetamine.
"லேத் பட்டறையில் லேப் அமைத்து ஓராண்டாக பல கோடி ரூபாய் ‘மெத்தபெட்டமைன்’ தயாரிப்பு"🚨🙄 https://t.co/FmTC1bDIF3 pic.twitter.com/zEjzKiFrpI
— MR.Anil (@Saffron_Anil_) August 1, 2026
Superintendent of Police G. Chandeesh told media persons on July 31 that the crackdown also resulted in the seizure of large quantities of precursor chemicals and laboratory equipment used for manufacturing methamphetamine. Two more suspects are currently under interrogation.
Major Breakthrough in the Government's Anti-Narcotics Drive
Sivagangai District Police seized 3.100 kg of methamphetamine worth about ₹15 crore and arrested 4 accused allegedly planning to smuggle it to Malaysia. The drugs and 3 mobile phones were seized. Investigation continues pic.twitter.com/GbjNrIAaIB— Sivagangai District Police (@svgsocialmedia) July 12, 2026
As per media reports, “the gang converted a lathe workshop into a small laboratory and manufactured methamphetamine under the guidance of senior peddlers from Chennai, Kerala and Vellore. Their primary target was the youth. Shakul Hameed played an active role in distributing methamphetamine, while Zakir Hussain from Ilayangudi was involved in cooking meth. The latter supplied the necessary chemicals to produce meth.”
Police seized chemicals from Hussain’s premises. He allegedly procured the chemicals from Chennai-based Shakul Hameed, who is involved in the leather tanning and leather products trade. It is learnt that one of the raw materials, pseudoephedrine, is difficult to procure in the market.
Acting on a tip-off, Kenikkarai Police Sub-Inspector conducted a surprise raid in Bharathi Nagar on July 24 and arrested two alleged drug peddlers, Sakthivel (23) and Kalanithi (23), both from Ramanathapuram. Police seized 11 grams of methamphetamine from them, and they were remanded in judicial custody.
On July 28, the Bazaar Police arrested Mohammed Umarul Jamin (22), Mohammed Aslam (22), both of Karikootam, and Jebis (25) of Kannanur in Kanniyakumari district.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly revealed that they had procured the methamphetamine from the Ilayangudi area.
In additional investigation conducted with land and Aslam, it was found that the drug was distributed from Sheikh Mohammad (38) of Qadar Pichai Street, Ilayankudi, Sivagangai district.
Based on the information, a special police team detained four persons — Sikkandar Bathusha (53), Sheikh Mohammed (38), Jamal Moideen (65) and Habeebur Rahman (52), all from Ilayangudi — and seized 700 grams of methamphetamine.
The gang allegedly produced between four and five kilograms of methamphetamine every month. Besides targeting youth in the southern districts, the gang also used a dedicated private messaging platform to coordinate its operations, which allegedly involved persons from Kerala and Sri Lanka.
It is learnt that the syndicate employed staff to handle sales, production, administration and operate a shadow organisation. Members reportedly attended the premises daily during fixed working hours, similar to office employees. The gang allegedly produced between three and five kilograms of methamphetamine every month.
The operation was carried out by a team led by Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) DSP Sivasankaran and Inspector Muthukumar, who arrested those allegedly involved in the production and sale of the narcotic drug.
Sustained interrogation led police to Shahul Hameed, a Chennai-based leather businessman and a native of Ilayangudi, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the syndicate. He allegedly procured precursor chemicals and supplied them to Jahir Hussain, who operated the clandestine methamphetamine manufacturing unit inside the lathe workshop at Ilayangudi.
A search of the premises resulted in the seizure of 670 grams of methamphetamine, 1.9 kilograms of pseudoephedrine, 5 kilograms of red phosphorus, 4.8 kilograms of iodine, acids, reagents, thinners and several laboratory instruments allegedly used for manufacturing synthetic drugs.
Police also seized methamphetamine, polyethylene raw material allegedly used for preparing packets to store the drug, and five kilograms of iodine reportedly used in its manufacture. It is reported that “some of the materials used in manufacturing the drug were procured online using a pharmaceutical licence”. Police also recovered precision weighing instruments and packing materials from the motorcycles allegedly used to distribute the drug.
Tamil Nadu a Major Transit Point for International Drug Syndicates
The Sivaganga methamphetamine manufacturing unit bust comes amid growing concerns over Tamil Nadu emerging as one of the major transit points for international drug syndicates trafficking methamphetamine and its precursor chemical, pseudoephedrine. The synthetic drug is in high demand in countries such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Australia.
Data collected by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Chennai Zone, shows that seizures of methamphetamine bound for Sri Lanka increased from 12 kg to 66 kg in 2022 and further to 83 kg in 2023. In 2024 alone, the NCB seized 57 kg of methamphetamine. Investigations in these cases found that the narcotic substance had originated from Myanmar.
Methamphetamine commands a high value in the illegal drug trade. The substance reportedly costs between ₹50,000 and ₹1 lakh per kilogram in Manipur and around ₹7 lakh per kilogram in Chennai. By the time it reaches Sri Lanka, Australia or New Zealand, its value increases to between ₹5 crore and ₹10 crore per kilogram.
Investigations have found that methamphetamine sourced from Myanmar, part of Golden triangle, a massive global hub for illicit opium and synthetic drug production, is first smuggled into India through Manipur before being transported to Tamil Nadu through human carriers. The drug is then moved to Rameswaram, Thoothukudi and Nagapattinam by bus, train or car using concealed compartments before being smuggled to Sri Lanka and subsequently to other foreign destinations.
According to reports, the syndicates have hired several Sri Lankan Tamils living in Tamil Nadu cities and refugee camps to facilitate the trafficking operations.
Tamil Nadu’s 1,076-km coastline has also been used by drug syndicates to transport narcotics. Reports state that the State has 59 fishing villages along the coast, providing cover for smuggling activities. Around seven lakh fishermen live in these villages, and investigations have found that some individuals allegedly provided cover and logistical support to the drug cartels.
