In a significant anti-narcotics operation, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) apprehended three individuals in the pilgrimage town of Velankanni on Sunday. The arrests were made for the alleged attempt to smuggle a substantial quantity of the psychedelic drug mescaline, with an estimated international market value of a staggering Rs 6 crore.
Intelligence Leads to Major Drug Bust
Acting on specific intelligence inputs about a group planning to smuggle narcotics from Velankanni, NCB personnel swung into action. On Sunday evening, they deployed discreet surveillance across multiple locations in the town. The focus of their operation narrowed down to a car parking area in the vicinity of the renowned Velankanni Shrine Basilica.
It was here that the officers observed three men exhibiting suspicious behaviour. The team moved in and detained the suspects for questioning. During the initial interrogation, the individuals provided conflicting and inconsistent statements, raising further red flags and prompting a thorough search.
Seizure and Arrest Details
The search proved fruitful, leading to the confiscation of 2 kilograms of mescaline from the possession of the accused. The NCB has identified the trio as K Ravichandran (40), a resident of New Nambiyar Nagar in Nagapattinam and the north district secretary of the Hindu Makkal Katchi; Anandharaj (33) from Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district; and K Murugan (31) from Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district.
Subsequent interrogation revealed that the group's intention was to sell the seized narcotic substance. Following the procedure, all three accused were formally arrested under stringent sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The charges include sections 8(c), 22(c), 28, and 29, which pertain to possession, contravention involving psychotropic substances, attempted smuggling, and criminal conspiracy.
Judicial Custody and Legal Process
After their arrest, the accused were taken to the Nagapattinam Government Medical College Hospital for a mandatory medical examination. They were later produced before the Judicial Magistrate in Nagapattinam. The magistrate, after hearing the case, ordered the trio to be remanded to judicial custody.
This operation underscores the ongoing efforts by central agencies to crack down on drug trafficking networks, even in religious and tourist locales. The high value of the seizure—approximately Rs 6 crore—highlights the scale of the illicit drug trade that authorities are combating.
