Have TN's Coimbatore Police Uncovered a Major Drug Operation?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 235 kg of ganja seized by Coimbatore police.
- Two suspects arrested in connection with the smuggling.
- Estimated street value of the drugs is Rs 70 lakh.
- Police conducting extensive surveillance along interstate routes.
- Ongoing operations to dismantle narcotics trafficking networks.
Chennai, July 10 (NationPress) The Coimbatore District (Rural) Police have initiated a significant crackdown on narcotics trafficking networks following the confiscation of 235 kilograms of ganja.
Two suspects were apprehended during the operation near Sulur on Wednesday while they were attempting to transport the illicit substance to Kerala.
Acting on intelligence gathered during the questioning of suspects in a previous drug case, a specialized police team led by Sulur Inspector Lenin Appadurai intercepted a suspicious vehicle at Rayapuram Junction.
The vehicle, registered under the number TN 06 R 1959, was discovered to be carrying neatly packaged bundles of ganja hidden inside. The arrested individuals have been identified as Satheesh Kumar, 36, from Thoothukudi, and Vedhamani, 27, from Nagapattinam.
During their interrogation, the pair reportedly admitted to obtaining the ganja from Andhra Pradesh and were on their way to Kerala to distribute the narcotics. The seized haul is valued at approximately Rs 70 lakh in the illegal market.
Officials noted that this represents one of the largest drug seizures in Coimbatore district in recent years.
Coimbatore (Rural) Superintendent of Police K. Karthikeyan confirmed, “This seizure is part of a larger, ongoing initiative aimed at dismantling drug trafficking routes between Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. We are actively pursuing additional leads to identify the source of the contraband and the network of buyers in Kerala.”
A case has been registered under multiple provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, including Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(C), 25, and 29(1).
The accused have been placed in judicial custody.
Following the seizure, police have heightened surveillance and vehicle inspections along interstate routes, particularly those leading to Kerala through border areas like Walayar.
Special teams have been dispatched to key locations in and around Coimbatore.
Police sources disclosed that searches are also being conducted in hotels, including high-end resorts, to locate potential hideouts and accomplices.
The apprehended individuals are believed to have provided crucial information about the operation's methodology.
The Coimbatore police have also notified the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to perform random inspections at railway stations, including Coimbatore Junction, amid indications that some members of the drug trafficking network are utilizing trains to transport narcotics.
This ongoing crackdown is anticipated to expose a larger syndicate operating across state lines, as law enforcement intensifies efforts to disrupt the illegal drug trade.