5 persons nabbed from lodge, tablets seized

The accused were identified as Kishore Babu (21) of Tiruvottiyur, Daniel (26) of Ennore, Vasanth (27) of Red Hills, and Shobanraj (26) and Aravind (27) of Tondiarpet.

The gang was secured when the police officers were raiding lodges to nab the suspicious persons staying in the city ahead of the Indo-China summit at Mahabalipuram on October 11 and 12. Five men from a lodge on Thiruvenkadam Street were secured on suspicion and a search in the room led to the seizure of nitro tablets (used to treat chest pain and cause dizziness), which are supposed to be sold only on prescription.

Investigation revealed that the tablets were being smuggled to the city from Mumbai by a narcotics dealer, identified as Ashok Bhai of Perambur. The gang purchased the tablets from him in bulk to sell them to school and college students. As many as 420 tablets were seized.

Among the five, Daniel has two murder cases and an attempt to murder case pending against him, while Shobanraj has two murder and assault cases against him. All five men were remanded in judicial custody on Tuesday.