Latest news with #Anti-NarcoticsIntelligenceUnit
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Two arrested for peddling pseudoephedrine in Chennai
Triplicane police have arrested two persons on charges of peddling pseudoephedrine, a controlled substance used in the manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The police said the duo was caught with a huge quantity of pseudoephedrine, and further investigation is on to trace other suspects involved in the peddling network. Following a tip-off, a special team of the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) coordinated the operation with the Triplicane police. They monitored the movement of suspects at the Lal Begam Street junction in Triplicane on Saturday (June 28, 2025) and arrested the duo, identified as Peer Mohammed, 46, of Triplicane, and Syed Jalaludin, 49, of Chepauk. Two kilograms of pseudoephedrine worth ₹2 crore were seized from them, said the police. They were booked under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and efforts are on to trace and arrest others who are suspected to be part of their gang, said the police.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Nigerian woman 25th to be held in cocaine bust
Chennai: A 41-year-old Nigerian, Sarah Kumama,was arrested in Bengaluru in connection with a transnational cocaine supply ring that has led to the arrest of 25 people in Tamil Nadu since Jan. Police said Sarah, who also went by the aliases "Happiness" and "Blessings", was taken into custody by a special team. She was a key link in the distribution chain which has networks across multiple cities, including Chennai, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. The crackdown began on Jan 25 with the arrest of Fayaz Ahmed, 31, of Royapettah, and S Chandrasekar, 35, of Koyambedu. Both were caught with cocaine by a joint team from the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit and Choolaimedu police. Fayaz has a murder case pending against him. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Other related arrests include Nigerian nationals Eko Nathanial Chibuzor from Mumbai and Ebere Moses Obogodo from Bengaluru in March. Police said Nathanial was one of the key suppliers to Chennai-based peddlers. Pub DJ Julian Dishan, 33, and bar manager M Arunraj, 29, were arrested for allegedly distributing cocaine at a Nungambakkam establishment. Four individuals under the age of 21 were also on the accused list. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "With Sarah's arrest, we have apprehended 25 people involved in this network. Efforts are on to trace more links in the supply chain," said an investigation officer. During the course of investigation, police recovered 65 grams of cocaine, 1.7 kg of ganja, two grams of ganja oil, four grams of OG ganja, 20 mobile phones, three two-wheelers, three cars, and two weighing machines.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
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. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We need ₹26 lakhs to help our baby survive, please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo 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.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Actor Srikanth arrested after police seize cocaine from his city residence
Actor Srikanth CHENNAI: Tamil film actor Srikanth, 46, who has acted in 54 movies including 11 in Telugu and five in Malayalam was on Monday arrested by the Chennai police in connection with a cocaine smuggling racket. The arrest followed the detention of T Prasad, an AIADMK IT wing functionary who is suspected to have supplied the drug to the actor. Srikanth was taken into custody after police recovered cocaine from his residence and confirmed drug use through medical tests. Police said they were probing the involvement of another Kollywood actor, whose identity cannot be revealed at this stage. It all began on June 17 when the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) of the city police arrested Pradeep Kumar alias Prado, 38, of Salem and John, 38, a Ghana national in Nungambakkam for possession of 11g cocaine. Based on information provided by Pradeep, police learned that the drug was sourced from T Prasad and sold to Srikanth at a pub in Nungambakkam in May. Police subsequently raided Srikanth's residence in the Nungambakkam Lake area and recovered small quantities of cocaine kept for 'personal use'. Srikanth was detained for questioning and later arrested after his blood samples tested positive for narcotics. He was taken to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital for an examination and produced before the II metropolitan magistrate court in Egmore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ¡Revoluciona tu mundo digital con recomendaciones tech! Mandarina - Tráfico Más información Undo Police said Prasad was earlier arrested following a drunken brawl at the same pub. Further investigations into his activities led to the unearthing of multiple criminal links, including drug trafficking, a job scam and attempts to influence police officials. At least six cases have been registered against him so far. He was detained under the Goondas Act as well. Sources said two police personnel — sub-inspector Mani Durai and constable Senthilkumar — were also arrested on charges of assisting Pradeep Kumar in a fake job racket. Senthilkumar, who served as the personal security officer to CPM MP Su Venkatesan, was picked up from Madurai and brought to Chennai on Thursday. Another SI from the Coimbatore Anti-Terror unit has also been detained based on digital evidence. The job scam surfaced during investigations into the pub brawl involving Prasad, AIADMK functionary Ajay Vandaiyar and history-sheeter Nagendra Sethupathi. So far, at least three complaints have been registered in Nungambakkam and Mylapore police stations.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Tamil actor Srikanth arrested for allegedly buying cocaine from drug cartel
Tamil film actor Srikanth, also known as Sriram Krishnamachari, 46, was arrested on Monday by the Nungambakkam police of the Greater Chennai Police for allegedly buying cocaine from a drug cartel. The cartel includes a Nigerian national who was recently arrested. The authorities are on the lookout for actor Krishna, who is believed to be in Kerala. A senior police officer confirmed the arrest and said Srikanth had been in regular contact with three drug offenders arrested recently. 'Our investigation revealed that he procured and consumed cocaine... Further investigation is under way,' the officer said. Srikanth made his big screen acting debut in the 2002 Tamil film Roja Kootam. He has also starred in notable films like April Maadhathil (2002), Parthiban Kanavu (2003), Okariki Okaru (2003), and the Tamil remake of 3 Idiots, titled Nanban (2012). Srikanth has received multiple awards, including Nandi Awards and Filmfare Awards. To combat drug-trafficking, the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) operates under the supervision of Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A. Arun. It gathers intelligence on ganja and synthetic drugs, identifies offenders and networks, and works with local police stations to make arrests. On June 17, based on the ANIU's inputs, the Nungambakkam police arrested Pradeep Kumar, alias Prado, 38, of Sankari in Salem, and John, 38, a Ghanaian national, after they were found in possession of 11 grams of cocaine. During interrogation, Pradeep said he had supplied drugs to T. Prasad, a dismissed AIADMK functionary, who sold the cocaine to Srikanth at a Nungambakkam pub last month. Brawl at bar Prasad, along with his associates, had been arrested earlier in connection with a brawl at a bar. Further investigation revealed that he had also been involved in a job racket, cheating a Hyderabad businessman. Police sources said Prasad had worked in film production with Srikanth and the latter frequently socialised with the offenders. The police searched Srikanth's residence in the Nungambakkam Lake Area, where cocaine in small quantities was allegedly seized. On Monday morning, Srikanth was detained for questioning and then arrested after his blood test came back positive for narcotics. He was examined at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Sourced from Bengaluru The cocaine was reportedly sourced from Bengaluru through Pradeep and John, who purchased it for ₹7,000 per gram and sold it in Chennai for ₹12,000. Mr. Arun has directed the ANIU and the local law enforcement agencies to intensify surveillance and crack down on organised narcotics trafficking. Investigations are under way to apprehend other individuals linked to the syndicate.
