Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 30 (HBTV): Tamil Nadu Police carried out a major anti-drug operation near educational institutions in the Chennai suburbs of Potheri, Maraimalai Nagar, and Kattankulathur, seizing 166 grams of ganja and 5,000 ganja-infused chocolates. Seven individuals were arrested during the raid, officials said on Tuesday.

Abin Dinesh Modak, Commissioner of Tambaram City, stated that the raids were conducted on July 26 to ensure that areas around educational institutions remain free from drugs.

‘On July 26, we conducted a massive raid around educational institutions in Potheri, Maraimalai Nagar, and Kattankulathur and the surrounding area. The main intention of these raids was to ensure that the premises near the educational institutions are clean and there is no infestation of drugs,’ Modak said.

‘We seized 166 grams of ganja and 5,000 ganja chocolates. We have also arrested seven people. We have registered more than 340 cases this year, and most of these cases are around the college premises. 340 people have been arrested, and we have seized more than 1,500 kg of ganja in the last seven months of this year,’ he added.

In a separate case in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, a joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) Yamunapar Zone and Kaundhiyara Police arrested two individuals and seized over 13.55 kilograms of cannabis during a raid near Kaitha Pulia in the Kaundhiyara police station area.

The accused were identified as Jogendra Singh Chauhan (20) and Sharda Prasad Kesarwani (19), both residents of Prayagraj. A motorcycle used for transporting the contraband was also recovered.

A case has been registered under the NDPS Act at Kaundhiyara Police Station, Commissionerate Prayagraj, and further legal proceedings are underway. During interrogation, the accused admitted to purchasing ganja from external sources and selling it in small quantities across the city. They reportedly shared the profits for personal use. Sharda Prasad Kesarwani has a prior criminal record.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch recently busted an interstate drug syndicate, arresting three key members and seizing 411 kg of high-grade ganja. The arrests were made near Nala, Golf Course Road in Dwarka, where two vehicles carrying the contraband were intercepted.

The arrested individuals were identified as Lokesh Bhardwaj (27) and Ashish Khasa alias Ashu (20), both from Maheshwari, Rewari in Haryana; Moeen Khan (24) from Nuh, Haryana; and Srikant Prasad (33) from Gopalganj, Bihar, who is believed to be the source of the contraband.

Police said the accused were involved in illegal drug trafficking and motivated by the lure of easy profits. Some of the accused had prior histories of similar offences. Further investigation is underway to uncover the wider network and identify additional members of the syndicate.

The international market value of the seized ganja is estimated to be approximately INR 1.90 crore.

(ANI)