In a major midnight operation, the Chennai city police detained 234 individuals, including rowdies, history-sheeters, ganja peddlers, and suspected offenders. The drive, named Operation Special Drive, commenced on Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning, covering all 12 police districts in the city.
Details of the Operation
Under the directives of Chennai City Police Commissioner Abin Dinesh Modak, the police also seized 21.4 kilograms of ganja and 1,070 narcotic tablets during the crackdown. This operation came four days after the murder of two Gaana singers near Mudichur in Tambaram. In response, senior police officials ordered intensified surveillance and preventive operations.
Special squads, comprising assistant commissioners, inspectors, and police personnel, were formed under the supervision of deputy commissioners in each police district to conduct coordinated enforcement drives.
Arrests and Detentions
According to police reports, 133 history-sheeters and rowdy offenders were arrested during the operation. Simultaneously, a separate anti-drug crackdown titled 'Special Drive against Drugs' led to the arrest of 101 persons involved in the possession, sale, and distribution of ganja and narcotic tablets. Among these, 20 persons were detained in Pulianthope, 18 in T Nagar, 16 in Adyar, 12 in Mylapore, and 10 in Anna Nagar. Detentions and arrests were also made in the remaining police districts across Chennai.
In North Chennai alone, police detained at least 107 persons. Of these, 75 were involved in ganja peddling and smuggling activities, while 27 were classified as 'C' category history-sheeters.
Review and Legal Proceedings
A senior police officer stated, 'We may not formally arrest all the detained suspects and remand them to prison. We will review each case and, if necessary, initiate proceedings under Section 129 of BNSS. Others may be arrested and remanded in judicial custody based on available evidence.'
Police also intensified action against the smuggling and sale of tobacco products. Senior officials confirmed that the special drive and anti-drug enforcement operations would continue across Chennai to curb violent crime and illegal narcotics activities.
