6 kg heroin seized; student, coach among seven held

Acting on a tip-off, a team of the marine preventive wing of the customs department, headed by Assistant Commissioner Vijayakumar, raided a hut at Trespuram in Thoothukudi. However, nothing suspicious or illegal materials was found in the hut. During inquiries it came to light two persons had fled the hut with a consignment of contraband in a boat. Immediately the team, moved into the sea and intercepted the boat. On a subsequent check, the team found around six kg of heroin and caught a duo, who were identified as Santhiyagu, a fisherman and Ashok Kumar, an M Phil student of a private college at Thoothukudi, on board. 

The Customs officials brought the duo to shore. Based on the leads given by the duo, that heroin was handed over to them by one Rex Frenandez in Thoothukudi, police raided his house and arrested him. During interrogations Rex told the personnel that the consignment was meant to be smuggled out of India and four Sri Lankan fishermen would be waiting for the contraband at the international border. 

The Customs officials laid a trap and took Sathiyagu and Ashok Kumar to the international border in the sea. When the four Sri Lankan fishermen came close to the  duo to receive the contraband, the Customs team hiding inside the boat rounded up and arrestred the fishermen. All of them were later brought to the Thoothukudi coast. 

The four Sri Lankan fishermen failed to open up during the interrogation and refused to reveal their identity. So, the Customs officials have sought the help of the Sri Lankan Embassy to deal with them further. However, the officials said all the seven would be taken to Madurai and remanded duly. 

Sources further said that Rex Frenandez was a football player and a coach. He was also a member of the Thoothukudi District Football Association. 

It was suspected that he had brainwashed some of his students from economically weaker sections and involved them in smuggling activities. Ashok Kumar, who was one of his victims, was a national level football player and Rex had reportedly exploited the financial condition of his family, sources said. However, Custom officials suspect the involvement of many influential groups in the smuggling.