Tamil Nadu: Engineering, chemistry students run meth lab from home in Chennai, arrested
Police reportedly raided a meth lab in Chennai on Wednesday, which allegedly involved engineering and chemistry graduates.
Reported by The Times of India, the Tamil Nadu Police apprehended seven students in Chennai for operating a methamphetamine lab in a residential property. Among the individuals taken into custody were four graduates in robotics engineering and a student pursuing an MSc in chemistry. The occurrence transpired in the Kodugaiyur vicinity of Chennai.
The alleged meth lab was visited by the police on Wednesday, where the student’s parents claimed that the individuals present were engaged in academic research. However, upon further inspection, law enforcement discovered that the seven individuals were actually in the process of cooking meth inside one of the rooms. Consequently, the suspects have been apprehended and placed in judicial custody.
Following a tip-off, authorities carried out a raid at the residence in Kodugaiyur. It is believed that, aside from the seven individuals already implicated, there may be additional persons connected to the case.
During a raid conducted by the Anti-Drug Intelligence Unit (ADIU) in Chennai, a meth lab was dismantled, resulting in the confiscation of 250 grams of methamphetamine. Additionally, two mobile phones, a chemical weighing scale, various jars, laboratory tools, test tubes, pipettes, burettes, as well as raw chemicals stored in glass containers and other related equipment were seized.
The authorities are investigating the suspected involvement of these students in the distribution of methamphetamine to a larger criminal group. The individuals implicated in this case include Fleming Francis, aged 21; Naveen, aged 22; Pravin Pranav, aged 21; Kishore, aged 21; Gnanapandian, aged 22; Arunkumar, aged 22; and Dhanush, aged 23.
Police disclosed that Praveen, Kishore, Naveen, and Dhanush had just completed their studies in robotics engineering, whereas Gnanapandian is presently engrossed in pursuing a Master of Science degree in Chemistry. The authorities mentioned that the remaining two individuals implicated in the case are their acquaintances.
Currently monitoring the proliferation of synthetic drugs in the urban area is the recently established ADIU unit. As per a statement given to TOI by a law enforcement officer, the team is delving into the duration of their activities. It appears that Gnanapandian possesses expertise in chemistry, whereas the rest of the group obtained necessary chemicals and equipment from pharmaceutical companies and internet platforms.
