Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Heroin seizure: NCB writes to Sri Lanka

By K.T.Sangameswaran

CHENNAI May 16. When officials of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) began probing the seizure of nearly 50 kg of heroin in the city last month, they were in for shock.

One of the key members of the gang had told the central agency that another member, who had also been arrested, had arranged for the smuggling of a whopping 400 kg of the drug out of the country during last year and in February and March this year.

It is strongly suspected that the consignments, which had been sent in three instalments, were meant for Sri Lanka, NCB sources told The Hindu.

Last month, based on specific information, sleuths of the central agency seized 50 kg of the drug at Madhavaram and from a house at Kilpauk here. Five persons, including a Sri Lankan national, who the bureau said, was the main member of the gang, were arrested. With a view to escaping from the enforcement machinery, the islander allegedly washed down 19 kg of heroin down the drain. Besides 6.365 kg of heroin in three packets, Indian currency of Rs.2.94 lakhs was seized.

During investigation of the case, the islander had reportedly told the agency that another member of the gang had arranged for the smuggling out of the country of 225 kg of heroin in 2001, 140 kgs in February and 36 kg in March this year.

The sources said the consignments would have been smuggled out either by sea or air. The islander was already an absconding accused in a case in which another Sri Lankan national, Faluludden, was involved and convicted to 10 years rigorous imprisonment. Faluludden was forcibly taken away by a gang when he was under treatment in the government hospital at Salem in February this year.

It appears to be a windfall for those engaged in smuggling of heroin. While one of the arrested persons, a ``middleman'' between the Sri Lankan smugglers and the suppliers in North India, had said he was paid Rs.10,000 for a kg of heroin smuggled, the driver had said he got Rs.1,000 per kg.

Following the seizure and the revelation, the NCB authorities are to write to the Sri Lankan authorities. The response of the island officials is expected to be known at the meeting of the coordination committee, which is to be held in Bangalore soon, the sources said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Secular front still a distant possibility
• Plus-Two results today
• June 30 deadline for uniform number plates
• Wedding photo proof not easy for divorce-seeking women
• Women still suffer `forced seclusion' here
• Ooty gripped by flower show fever
• 10th century Buddha statue found
• Tamil Internet meet in California from Sept. 27
• Official bars from June
• Sivam episode renews debate on EC curb
• Can the parties build bridges in Vaniyambadi?
• Heroin seizure: NCB writes to Sri Lanka
• `Don't give assent to strike ban bill'
• Counselling for teachers transfer

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu