Meth network busted in Chennai; 6 held; 8kg ganja seized in two cases

Chennai: The Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) dismantled a drug distribution network in north Chennai on Tuesday, arresting six suspects and seizing 54g of methamphetamine. The operation, centred around Chinnandimadam junction in Kodungaiyur, busted a supply chain involving a jewellery showroom accountant, a fast-food eatery owner, and a history-sheeter.The crackdown commenced on Monday after ANIU sub-inspector Jayaraj utilized a confidential informant to arrange a purchase from 26-year-old B Vinothkumar, an MBA graduate employed as an accountant at a jewellery showroom in Sowcarpet. Vinothkumar directed his relative, R Santhosh, 23, to deliver 4g of methamphetamine. The operation led officers to K Joseph, 23, who operates a fast food joint at Kodungaiyur. A search of the restaurant premises yielded an additional 50g of the drug.Interrogation revealed that the narcotics were supplied to the eatery by 26-year-old K Mani, also known as ‘Othavadai' Mani, a B category history-sheeter from Puzhal. Police arrested Mani along with his associates K Thirupathi, 26, and T Salman, 19. During the raid, officers also recovered 200g of ganja. Investigators are now tracing the interstate links of the network to determine the origin of the supply. In another incident, New Washermenpet police arrested two men on Monday for smuggling 7kg of ganja from Odisha. Police said Karthikeyan, 35, of Koyambedu, and Karthik, 25, of Pallavaram, were intercepted during a vehicle check near the Tondiarpet Vaidyanathan flyover while travelling in an autorickshaw. Police said the men procured the ganja from Odisha and brought it to Chennai by train. They were remanded to Puzhal prison. Meanwhile, Triplicane police arrested four people, including two women, on Tuesday for possessing 1.3 kg of ganja intended for sale. R Appu, 22, and his wife, Sneha, 23, both residents of Otteri; D Sarathy, 23, of Pulianthope; and Sabari Priya, 19, of Otteri. All four were remanded in judicial custody.