Chennai cops bust meth lab run by chemistry, engineering grads

CHENNAI: An MSc chemistry student and four robotics engineering graduates teamed up with two others to cook methamphetamine in one of their homes in Kodungaiyur. And when police came knocking at the door on Wednesday, the parents said they thought the students were doing their studies. The seven youngsters have been arrested and remanded in judicial custody.The city's newly formed Anti-Drug Intelligence Unit (ADIU) raided the meth lab and found a cache of meth, chemicals and laboratory equipment. They suspect the criminal network has links in other cities. The arrested individuals were identified as Fleming Francis, 21, from Teynampet; Naveen, 22, from Poonamallee; Pravin Pranav, 21, from Kodungaiyur; Kishore, 21, and Gnanapandian, 22, from Nandiyambakkam; Arunkumar, 22, from Kodungaiyur; and Dhanush, 23, from Manali. Gnanapandian is an MSc Chemistry student, while Pravin, Kishore, Naveen, and Dhanush had recently graduated with degrees in robotics engineering. The other three are their friends.ADIU assistant commissioner of police K Manoj's team has been tracking peddlers selling synthetic drugs in the city. Based on specific intelligence, the team raided the house in Kodungaiyur. They seized 250g of meth, two mobile phones, a chemical weighing machine, lab equipment, jars, test tubes, pipettes, burettes, and chemicals. Police sources said the lab operated from a room in one of the suspect's homes, where the parents were unaware of the criminal activity happening under the roof. "The students ran it as a secret operation, and the parents thought they were doing academic work," said a police officer. "We are still investigating how long they've been operating and how the group came together." While Gnanapandian had knowledge of chemistry, his friends procured chemicals and apparatus from pharmaceutical firms in Parrys and online portals, the officer said.A senior police official said the racket is suspected to have links to cities such as Bengaluru. All the seven men have been remanded in judicial custody.