Six get 10 years RI in international drug smuggling case

Chennai: In a breakthrough against narcotics smuggling, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Chennai zonal unit, has secured the conviction of six men involved in an international ganja and hashish oil trafficking network operating through sea routes. The Pudukottai NDPS court sentenced the six men to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.On Nov 21, 2022, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted a fishing vessel, Kanmani, in a mid-sea operation around 45 nautical miles south of Mandapam. In an attempt to evade capture, the crew threw eight gunny bags into the sea before interception. The coast guard recovered the discarded cargo from the waters. NCB officials took over the case at ICGS Mandapam. The recovered consignment included 99 packets of ganja, one bottle of hashish oil, several GPS devices and mobile phones. In total, 290.49kg of ganja and 1kg of hashish oil were seized.Four Indian nationals onboard—K Iniyas Ahamed, Syed Noorul Ammen, Kannan K and Velu A—were arrested at the scene. Investigation revealed that the vessel belonged to P Ramu, who provided his boat for the smuggling operation.Further probe revealed thst Mohamed Basith coordinated the trafficking of narcotics to Sri Lanka via sea routes with the help of associates. He was arrested in June 2023. The court convicted all six accused and sentenced each to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of 1 lakh. The operation led to the seizure of narcotics worth 1.52 crore, 2.20 lakh cash and a boat worth more than 9 lakh.In 2026, the Chennai Zonal Unit has secured six convictions involving 17 people individuals so far. NCB has urged the public to assist in combating drug trafficking. Information regarding the sale, transport or trade of narcotics can be shared via the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline (toll-free: 1933), with strict confidentiality assured for informants.