Pubs & bars come under surveillance
Chennai: A day after actor Srikanth was arrested in a cocaine case, police are mapping his digital footprints to track down others who are part of the network. Teams have also mounted surveillance on pubs and bars .
For now, Srikanth has been cited as the third-accused in the FIR, alongside Pradeep Kumar and John, a Ghanaian national. Police have initiated proceedings to seek custody of Srikanth and Pradeep Kumar for custodial interrogation.
According to the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU), Pradeep Kumar of Salem may have sold cocaine to several individuals who frequented a popular Nungambakkam pub. Investigators suspect he has done more than 40 drug transactions, including with actor Srikanth.
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ANIU officers seized Srikanth's mobile phone to examine his call logs and messages for links to other peddlers and consumers. Cyber forensic experts will analyse the device to assess the extent of the actor's involvement, said officials.
The drug racket came to light after two groups clashed at a pub last month. Although the initial complaint was filed as a minor dispute, the case escalated after some people involved said they held influence within senior ranks of the city police.
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This prompted city intelligence head and joint commissioner G Dharmarajan to order surveillance on key suspects.
Subsequently, several individuals, including AIADMK functionary T Prasad, businessman Ajay Vandaiyar, sub-inspector Manikumar, and constable Senthil Kumar, were arrested. Their links to Pradeep Kumar, who was caught with cocaine, led police to Srikanth.
Police said the arrest of Srikanth could expose more high-profile individuals in Chennai's drug network.
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