Narcotics smuggling: Paediatrician among four held

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, SEPT. 13. A city paediatrician is among four persons arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau(NCB) with the seizure of about 16 kg of heroin, worth Rs. 16 crores in the international market. The Central agency has also seized two cars in connection with the case.

The South Zonal Director of NCB, Mr.Shankar Jiwal, told presspersons here today that following specific information, the agency's sleuths mounted surveillance near the Taylors Road- EVR Salai Junction, Kilpauk, on Wednesday afternoon.

The officers noticed the transfer of a heavy green coloured bag from one car to another in a street nearby. The bag was kept behind the back seat of the vehicle to which it was shifted.

The agency officers immediately surrounded the vehicles and apprehended the occupants.

Fifteen polythene packets totally containing 15.898 kg of high grade heroin were seized.

Later, the sleuths found that the rear seat tilted forward if a button, installed under the dashboard, was pressed, leaving a big cavity behind the seat.

In this hollow space, the contraband had been concealed. Mr.Jiwal gave the names of those arrested as M.G.Selvaraj (49) of Choolaimedu, S.E.Pitchaithambi (32) of Kilpauk, a practising paediatrician and S.Emperumal (36) of Tiruchirappalli.

Investigations revealed that the consignment originated near Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, and that one Chellapah (48) used to mediate between Selvaraj, his associate, and the source supplier and make arrangements for further logistics with Pitchaithambi and Selvaraj for onward transportation of the contraband down South by Emperumal. Chellappa was also arrested.

The drug was meant for Sri Lanka, to be offloaded between Colombo and Negombo.

Mr.Jiwal said the paediatrician had passed out of KMC in 1991.

He had kept the brown sugar after its arrival in the city in a guest house at Chetput. He had allegedly helped the smugglers three times in the past.

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Section  : Southern States
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