In a significant operation against drug peddling targeting minors, Trichy police arrested four men on Tuesday for allegedly selling ganja to children. The arrests were made near a school in Ponmalaipatti, following a tip-off received by the authorities.
Arrest and Seizure
A police team, acting on specific intelligence, apprehended a group of four individuals who were found roaming suspiciously near a school in Ponmalaipatti. Upon searching them, the officers recovered 100 grams of ganja, a psychotropic substance, along with a motorcycle used in the illegal activity. The contraband and the vehicle were seized as evidence.
Details of the Accused
The arrested individuals have been identified as S Palanivel (20), S Deepak (21), and P Arjun (19), all residents of Musiri, and A Sathish (21) from Thuraiyur. All four are now in judicial custody after being produced before a magistrate.
Legal Charges
The Golden Rock police have registered a case against the accused under multiple sections of the law. They have been charged under Section 8(c) read with 20(b)(ii)(A) and Section 25 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for possession of psychotropic substances. Additionally, they face charges under Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act for selling narcotics to minors, which is a serious offense under Indian law.
Investigation and Next Steps
Following the arrests, the accused were produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody. The police have initiated a further investigation to uncover the source of the contraband and any potential links to larger drug networks. Authorities are also probing whether the accused had been operating in the area for an extended period and if other minors were involved.
The case highlights the growing concern over drug abuse among minors in Trichy. Police have urged parents and school authorities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. The department has also assured that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in the supply of narcotics to children.
Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.
