Chennai, March 20 (NationPress) In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Greater Chennai Police apprehended two suspects and confiscated 102 kg of ganja, a Honda City car (KA 01 MD 2866), and two mobile devices, authorities reported on Thursday.

The arrests were triggered by intelligence received from an informant based in Andhra Pradesh.

In a prompt response, law enforcement intercepted the individuals near Maduravoyal Bypass Road in Anagaputhur.

The suspects were identified as Paraman (45) from Madurai district and Daniel Raja (34) from Usilampatti.

Paraman has an extensive criminal record, encompassing drug trafficking, theft, rioting, assault, and intimidation. He has faced multiple arrests in Madurai and surrounding areas.

Daniel Raja had previously been charged under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act in Thirumangalam earlier this year.

Investigations have revealed Paraman's significant role in a vast interstate drug syndicate.

Fluent in Telugu due to his previous murukku (snack) business in Andhra Pradesh, he is believed to have shifted to drug trafficking in 2019.

During the 2024 Andhra Pradesh elections, he was detained in Nellore district with 10 kg of ganja and imprisoned in Visakhapatnam.

While incarcerated, he forged ties with drug suppliers Nagaraj and Najeem from Narasipattinam.

Following his release in May 2024, he resumed illicit activities and joined forces with Daniel Raja.

The pair acquired a Honda City car from Tiruppur and conducted several trips to Narasipattinam to smuggle ganja.

According to police, they purchased 52 kg of ganja (26 parcels) for Rs 2 lakh and distributed it in the hilly areas of Usilampatti.

Police further stated that they acquired 90 kg (45 parcels) for Rs 4 lakh from Najeem in preparation for the Pongal season in January 2025.

Their latest procurement involved 101 kg (51 parcels) for Rs 8 lakh, but they were intercepted while en route to Chennai before completing their sale.

A senior police official remarked, "This syndicate exploited the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu Corridor, utilizing remote hilly locations as storage sites. Paraman's network expanded through his connections made during incarceration, emphasizing the organized nature of their operation."

Authorities are currently working to identify upstream suppliers and local distributors participating in the network.

Simultaneously, the Tamil Nadu Police have intensified their efforts to combat the trafficking and usage of methamphetamine, a highly addictive substance.

Special operations are in progress statewide to mitigate its distribution.

Recent apprehensions reveal that methamphetamine is being sold in both urban and rural settings, with traffickers even targeting schoolchildren.

In a decisive move, Director General of Police (DGP) Sankar Jiwal has instructed all district police superintendents to personally oversee specialized squads aimed at dismantling drug networks.

Authorities are also keeping a close watch on gyms and health clubs, where methamphetamine usage has reportedly surged among fitness enthusiasts seeking relief from muscle pain following rigorous workouts.

Tamil Nadu has emerged as a pivotal transit hub for international drug syndicates, trafficking methamphetamine and its precursor, pseudoephedrine, to nations like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Australia, where demand is substantial.

In 2024 alone, the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence confiscated methamphetamine valued at nearly Rs 380 crore.

With law enforcement amplifying their efforts, authorities are resolutely determined to dismantle these drug networks and prevent further spread.