Notice to 3 inspectors for failure to curb ganja, gutkha menace

A senior officer confirmed that the three inspectors, Pugazhendhi (Ennore), Shanmugam (Thiru Vi Ka Nagar) and George Miller (MKB Nagar), have been issued showcase notices seeking an explanation as to why there were no arrests of notorious ganja peddlers in their limits. 

“Based on their explanation, the action will be taken,” said the officer.

In Anna Nagar, Pulianthope and Ambattur police districts, 34 cases of ganja peddling and gutkha seizure have been reported and 42 persons have been arrested. A total of 20 kg of ganja, 42 kg of mawa and 687 kg of gutkha were seized from them. 

Among the arrested, Anith Pandey of Secretariat Colony, Sivaraj of Porur, Gunasekaran of New Washermenpet, Deepak Kumar of Royapuram, Anusya of Vyasarpadi, Anandan and Velazhagi of Kodungaiyur and Raghupathy of Pulianthope have been detained under the Goondas Act. 

Meanwhile, Washermenpet police arrested a duo and seized 10 kg ganja from them. The accused were identified as A Saranraj (27) of Old Washermenpet and G Sathya (30) of Ernavur. Among the two, Sathya has already been detained under the Goondas Act for peddling 

ganja. Both were remanded in judicial custody on Saturday. 

Railway police at MGR Chennai Central seized 36 kg ganja from a trio who reached the city in Howrah Mail in the wee hours of Saturday. The accused were identified as R Pandi Poornachandra (33) of Visakhapatnam, P Vanaraj (52) of Cumbum and A Dursasan (65) of Odisha. Police found them moving in a suspicious manner and secured them. A search in their bags led to the seizure of 36 kg of ganja. Police said that they bought the contraband from Andhra Pradesh and were planning to sell it in southern districts. They have been remanded in judicial custody. 

Esplanade police arrested two men in possession of 175 grams of methamphetamine, a highly addictive stimulant, in Parry’s Corner. The accused were identified as A Aburar (24) of Mannadi and K Mohammed Haris (40) of Maduravoyal. 

A two-wheeler in their possession was also seized. Police said that Aburar worked as a food delivery executive, while Mohammed Haris, a Sri Lankan native, works at a private hospital in Kilpauk. Based on a specific information, sub-inspector Dharmaraj of Esplanade police station approached the duo disguised as a prospective customer in Parry’s Corner on Friday. “The duo had concealed the drugs in their trousers and underwear,” said police. They were secured for further investigation and remanded in judicial custody on the same day. 

Police said that the duo confessed to being involved in peddling the drug for the past three months. They were selling a gram of methamphetamine for Rs 2,000. “College students were their major customers,” said police. However, it is not clear where they smuggled the drug from and who were their suppliers. 

“We are planning to take the duo into police custody to find out about the network involved,” said police. Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Also known as meth, blue, ice, and crystal, among many other terms, it takes the form of a white, odourless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol.