NIB nabs drug peddling gang, DJ, dancer held

The accused were identified as Akash of Choolaimedu, Dhamodharan of Anna Nagar, Venkatesa Perumal of Kundrathur, Prince of Arumbakkam and Jeni of Vadapalani. Among the five, Venkatesa Perumal is said to be a notorious drug smuggler and Jeni is reportedly working as a dancer at a private bar in Bengaluru. The three others were college students, said NIB CID officials.

A constable who received information from residents about the gang at Ondikuppam beach in Tiruvottiyur on Monday evening alerted Assistant Commissioner Anand Kumar. Inspector Arokiyaraj rushed to the spot after alerted by the Assistant Commissioner and secured the five persons.

Their car was searched and about 12 grams of powdered Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA tablets) and eight grams of mesalazine (a form of amphetamine drug) and 2.5 kg ganja were found. Investigation revealed that they kept the banned substance to sell it to college students.

The seized items were handed over to NIB CID for further investigation. NIB officials said that Venkatesa Perumal is a disc jockey and has been under the radar of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and NIB as he has been accused of spiking drinks of women at pubs and sexually assaulting them. “The drugs seized from them is generally mixed in liquor for more effects that last for about 12 hours,” said NIB CID inspector Selvin.

Explaining Venkatesa Perumal’s modus operandi, the inspector said that he would befriend men he met at pubs and provide them with pure ganja, code-worded as green, and ganja flowers which are not easily available and get them addicted to it. “Later, he would demand them to supply narcotics to his customers to continue to get them. Jeni who has been arrested along with them is a customer-turned supplier,” added the inspector.