Five Arrested Including Two Sri Lankans as Part of “Operation Vidiyal” Anti-Drug Drive
Karaikal, July 23 — In a major crackdown on narcotics, the Karaikal district police have seized more than 300 kg of ganja and arrested five individuals, including two Sri Lankan nationals. The action was taken under “Operation Vidiyal”, a dedicated initiative aimed at making the district free from drug use and trafficking.
According to a statement issued by the Karaikal police, the operation began following a tip-off from the Intelligence Bureau. A team led by Inspector R. Mari Christian Paul intercepted a suspicious vehicle on July 15. The police arrested two individuals — 38-year-old Dileep from Mannargudi and 44-year-old Kumaravel from Nallathur. Upon searching their vehicle, the police recovered 26 kg of ganja, indicating the beginning of a much larger drug trail.
Following the arrest, the investigation expanded swiftly. Acting on further leads, police searched a house in Keezhakasakudi where they found an additional 304 kg of ganja. The consignment was allegedly procured through Kishore Kumar, 37, a resident of Ambur. He was arrested on July 17 and is now in custody.
In addition to the seizure, four vehicles suspected to have been used in the transportation of ganja were also confiscated by law enforcement officials.
The cross-border angle to the smuggling network became clear on July 23, when a police team intercepted a boat near Emerald Beach. Two Sri Lankan nationals — 41-year-old Selvakumar from Jaffna and 33-year-old Hayath Mohammed Rasu from Trincomalee — were detained. Along with them, three mobile phones and the boat they used were seized by authorities.
All five accused have been booked under multiple legal provisions, including the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Foreigners Act, and various laws related to passport and immigration violations. The police said the operation was carefully planned and executed under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Subramanian, with key support from Deputy Inspector-General of Police Sathya Sundaram and Senior Superintendent of Police M.V.N.V. Lakshmi Soujanya.
Police sources say that the seizure of over 300 kg of ganja is one of the biggest drug hauls in the district in recent years and points towards the existence of a well-established inter-State and cross-border network.
“Operation Vidiyal is aimed at freeing Karaikal from the threat of narcotic substances. This seizure and the arrests are a major step in dismantling such networks. We will continue our efforts relentlessly,” said an official close to the investigation.
The Karaikal police have not ruled out more arrests in the coming days as they continue to trace the supply chain and potential local collaborators. The investigation is still ongoing, and law enforcement agencies are collaborating with central intelligence units to uncover any larger links, possibly even international, in the smuggling racket.
Authorities have also urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station, ensuring community participation in the fight against drugs.
Final Thoughts (TheTrendingPeople.com)
This significant drug bust in Karaikal serves as a clear reminder of the growing scale and complexity of narcotics trafficking in coastal regions. With the arrest of Sri Lankan nationals, the case also brings attention to cross-border vulnerabilities and the urgent need for tighter maritime surveillance. As “Operation Vidiyal” progresses, it sets a strong precedent for other districts to follow suit in building a drug-free society. The joint coordination between local police, intelligence agencies, and coastal security will be key in dismantling such transnational criminal networks.