Chennai’s Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) on Tuesday said it dismantled a methamphetamine distribution network operating in north Chennai, arresting six suspects and seizing 54g of the drug. The operation was centred around Chinnandimadam junction in Kodungaiyur.
Police said the crackdown began on Monday after a confidential informant was used to set up a purchase from B Vinothkumar (26), an MBA graduate working as an accountant at a jewellery showroom in Sowcarpet. Vinothkumar allegedly asked his relative R Santhosh (23) to deliver 4g of methamphetamine, leading investigators to K Joseph (23), who runs a fast-food outlet in Kodungaiyur, where another 50g was recovered.
During questioning, officers said the drugs were supplied to the eatery by K Mani (26), also known as “Othavadai” Mani, a B-category history-sheeter from Puzhal. Mani was arrested along with associates K Thirupathi (26) and T Salman (19), and police said 200g of ganja was also seized during the raid.
Investigators said they are tracing possible interstate links to identify the source of supply.
In separate incidents, New Washermenpet police arrested Karthikeyan (35) of Koyambedu and Karthik (25) of Pallavaram for allegedly smuggling 7kg of ganja from Odisha, and said they were intercepted near the Tondiarpet Vaidyanathan flyover and remanded to Puzhal prison. Triplicane police also arrested four people, including two women, for possessing 1.3kg of ganja allegedly meant for sale; all were remanded in judicial custody.
