The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 200 kilograms of ganja, valued at over Rs 1 crore, from Odisha into Tamil Nadu. Six individuals, including a double-murder accused and an associate of a notorious gangster from Tirupur, have been arrested in connection with the case.
Interception at Toll Plaza
The vehicle carrying the contraband was intercepted at the Nallur toll plaza in Tiruvallur district, on the outskirts of Chennai, on Sunday. The operation was based on intelligence inputs and conducted in close coordination with the Telangana police. At least 10 bundles of ganja, concealed among other goods, were recovered from the vehicle. Five people were arrested on the spot.
Key Accused Arrested
Further inquiries led to the arrest of the key accused, identified as Nagalingam alias Raghu, who was scheduled to receive the contraband from the transporters in Coimbatore. The NCB has withheld the identities of the other accused for investigative reasons.
Nagendran alias Raghu is reportedly a member of the Madurai-based gangster Vellakali's group. According to an NCB officer, Raghu is an accused in a double murder case registered in Virudhunagar district in 2022, with a pending warrant of arrest against him. He also faces an Arms Act case registered in Madurai in 2024 and has recently been named in an NDPS case registered in Karur in 2025.
Judicial Remand and Further Investigation
All six arrested individuals have been remanded in judicial custody. The NCB is conducting further investigations to identify the remaining members of the drug syndicate and trace the financial transactions involved.
NCB's Ongoing Efforts
So far this year, the NCB Chennai office has seized approximately 1,703.35 kilograms of ganja, 87.64 kilograms of hashish oil, and 1.045 kilograms of amphetamine. A total of 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with these seizures. The estimated value of the drugs seized is around Rs 15.15 crore.
