Published Oct 19, 2026 | 12:54 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 19, 2026 | 12:54 PM
Silver-foil packets containing suspected crystal methamphetamine seized by the DRI.
Synopsis: A former TVK was among four people arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 137 kg of crystal methamphetamine worth over ₹100 crore to Sri Lanka. It was also reported that TVK’s Nagapattinam city secretary, identified only as Paulraj, threatened journalists covering the drug haul.
The drug haul in Nagapattinam has given Tamil Nadu’s Opposition DMK fresh ammunition to target the ruling TVK.
According to reports, a former TVK was among four people arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 137 kg of crystal methamphetamine worth over ₹100 crore to Sri Lanka. It was also reported that TVK’s Nagapattinam city secretary, identified only as Paulraj, threatened journalists covering the drug haul.
In a statement issued in Chennai, Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Maran questioned the TVK functionary for allegedly defending an accused and threatening members of the press.
Udhayanidhi also accused the TVK of allowing a drug-trafficking network to operate within its ranks, invoking terms such as “Narcos”, “drug lords” and “cartel mafia” in his criticism of the ruling party.
Calling Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay a “dummy Chief Minister”, he alleged that drug traffickers were moving freely under the present government. He urged the Chief Minister to focus on controlling the movement of narcotics and taking action against those involved, rather than spending time making reels.
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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 137 kg (gross) of crystal methamphetamine from a coastal village in Nagapattinam district during an operation conducted on 16 and 17 October, and arrested four people.
The case has sparked political controversy after police identified one of the accused as a former functionary of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), while also registering a separate case against the party’s Nagapattinam city secretary after a complaint alleged he threatened journalists covering the seizure.
According to a press release issued by the DRI on Sunday, 18 October, the consignment was allegedly intended to be smuggled to Sri Lanka through a mid-sea transfer. The agency estimated the value of the seized drugs in the illicit market at more than ₹100 crore.
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Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers conducted surveillance and enforcement operations, uncovering what the agency suspects was an organised coastal drug-trafficking network.
A search at a coastal location in Nagapattinam district led to the recovery of six duffel bags containing 27 silver-foil packets, each weighing approximately 5 kg. The packets contained a white crystalline substance suspected to be high-purity methamphetamine.
The DRI reported the gross weight of the seized consignment as 137 kg. The narcotics were seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
During a simultaneous search at the premises of the suspected organiser, officials seized ₹10 lakh in cash suspected to represent proceeds from drug sales. Officials also seized two four-wheelers and one two-wheeler allegedly used to transport the consignment.
The DRI said the operation exposed a suspected network involving individuals responsible for organising the coastal export, transportation, storage and logistics of the drugs. The agency arrested four people under the NDPS Act and remanded them to judicial custody.
The agency suspects the consignment was meant to be transported to Sri Lanka via a mid-sea transfer. The precise origin of the drugs, the route through which they reached Nagapattinam and the extent of the suspected network remain under investigation.
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Former TVK functionary among four arrested
Boopalan, a resident of Chinthamani panchayat in Nagapattinam district and identified in local reports as a former TVK functionary, was among those arrested.
His associates, Sugan, Sathish Kumar and Manikandan, were also arrested.
DRI officials interrogated the accused at the Nagapattinam Customs office. Following approximately two days of interrogation, the four were produced before a judicial magistrate in Vedaranyam and remanded in custody until 30 October.
The DRI officials also reportedly conducted inquiries at a private port in Vanchur, in the Karaikal region, as part of the investigation into the suspected maritime smuggling operation.
The investigation has also raised questions about the possible domestic manufacture of methamphetamine.
According to the local media, investigators were examining a possible link to a methamphetamine manufacturing facility reportedly uncovered in Ramanathapuram district in July. The reports further suggested that precursor chemicals used to manufacture the drug may have been brought from Nepal.
Investigators were examining whether methamphetamine produced in Ramanathapuram was transported to Nagapattinam for storage before a suspected attempt to smuggle it to Sri Lanka.
The drug seizure has taken a further turn following allegations that a TVK functionary threatened journalists reporting on the case.
Journalists covering the seizure and Boopalan’s arrest complained to the police that TVK’s Nagapattinam city secretary, Paulraj, contacted them on WhatsApp and threatened serious consequences if they continued publishing reports on the case.
The complaint alleged that the city secretary threatened to kill the journalists if they continued reporting on the matter.
Police have registered a case against the functionary based on the journalists’ complaint.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
