Chennai police have dismantled a major ganja smuggling network by apprehending four suspects who masqueraded as members of tourist biking groups to transport the contraband from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha into the city. In two separate operations, authorities arrested six individuals and confiscated 140 kilograms of ganja, 2,000 narcotic tablets, two motorcycles, and a car used for transporting the illegal substances.
First Operation in Avadi
According to police officials, personnel conducting routine patrols in the JP Estate area of Avadi detained three men on suspicion. The accused were identified as Dayalan, Udaya, and Prashanth, all residents of Ayappakkam near Ambattur. During a search of their bags, officers recovered 62 kilograms of ganja. Based on information gleaned from interrogation, police later arrested another suspect, Gopi, at his residence in Ayappakkam and seized an additional 38 kilograms of ganja. Authorities also seized two motorcycles used for transporting the contraband and a car used for local distribution.
Investigators revealed that the accused traveled with tourist biking groups to avoid police scrutiny while transporting the narcotic substance. The gang subsequently distributed the ganja to local peddlers and buyers in the Chennai suburbs. A case was registered at Avadi police station, and all four accused were remanded in judicial custody.
Second Operation in Ayappakkam
In a separate operation on Saturday, Ayappakkam police conducted vehicle checks near a petrol bunk on Donegala Camp Road and intercepted two men traveling on a motorcycle. The accused were identified as Gokul and Rukeshkumar, both residents of Ayappakkam. During the search, police seized 40 kilograms of ganja, 1,700 nitrazepam tablets, and 300 tapentadol tablets from them. The motorcycle used by the duo was also seized. Police registered a case against the two accused at Ayappakkam police station. Both were produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.
These operations underscore the ongoing efforts by Chennai police to curb the flow of narcotics into the city and dismantle smuggling networks that exploit various cover activities, including tourist biking groups.
