Tambaram Police arrest 412 in month-long crackdown on drug networks

The Tambaram City Police have arrested 412 individuals and registered 338 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act during a month-long special surveillance drive conducted from June 24 to July 24, 2026. The operation, named the ‘Special NDPS Surveillance Drive’, was aimed at dismantling ganja and narcotics networks, curbing drug abuse, and halting the supply of psychotropic substances across the city.

Addressing reporters, City Police Commissioner Prem Anand Sinha said that 50 specially constituted surveillance teams were deployed to monitor the drug ecosystem. “We personally briefed the teams on how to conduct this operation. The teams carried out surveillance at 150 suspected locations, identified 100 hotspots, and gathered crucial ground-level intelligence on ganja peddling syndicates, narcotics distribution channels, drug abuse hotspots, and other suspicious activities,” he said.

The seizures during the drive included 286.037 kg of ganja, 8,114 tablets, 14 mg of LSD stamps, 110 grams of methaqualone, 26 grams of opium, 25 grams of ganja chocolate, and one gram of heroin. According to officials, the operation also focused on repeat offenders. Twenty-six history-sheeters, including seven repeat drug offenders, were detained under the Goondas Act. Additionally, 117 history-sheeters involved in rowdyism and narcotics-related offences were arrested and remanded in judicial custody.

Mr. Sinha said that the intelligence gathered during the operation would form the backbone of future surveillance, targeted enforcement, and preventive action against narcotics-related crimes. Officials described the drive as a significant step towards intelligence-led policing, reaffirming the police’s resolve to dismantle drug networks and keep the city free from ganja and other narcotic substances.

The drive comes amid growing concerns over drug abuse among youth in urban and suburban areas of Tamil Nadu. In recent years, police across the state have intensified crackdowns on narcotics, with a particular focus on ganja smuggling from neighbouring states. The NDPS Act provides for stringent penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for the production, possession, sale, and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The Goondas Act, officially known as the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Forest Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Sand Offenders, Slum Grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982, allows preventive detention of individuals whose activities are considered detrimental to public order. The detention of repeat offenders under this law is aimed at curbing habitual criminal behaviour.

Legal experts point out that while such drives are effective in disrupting supply chains, sustained rehabilitation and awareness programmes are equally important to address the root causes of drug abuse. Community leaders and civil society organisations have called for greater focus on education, counselling, and employment opportunities for vulnerable youth.

The Tambaram City Police have said that the operation was conducted in a manner that respected lawful procedures, with all arrests being carried out after due verification of evidence. The accused have been produced before courts, and further investigations are underway to trace the sources of the contraband and identify higher-level operatives in the drug networks.

Residents of Tambaram have welcomed the drive, with many expressing hope that continued vigilance will improve public safety. However, some have also urged the police to ensure that the crackdown does not lead to harassment of innocent individuals, stressing the need for community-sensitive policing.

The police have appealed to the public to share information about drug peddling and abuse through helplines and have assured that informants’ identities will be kept confidential. The success of this operation, officials say, will be measured not only in the numbers of arrests and seizures but also in the long-term reduction of drug availability in the region.