Sleuths of the Narcotics Intelligence Bureau CID have been instructed to step up raids to curb narcotic smuggling.
Personnel attached to the NIB units have also been asked to widen their information network so as to enable them collect intelligence from various sources regarding sale and transportation of narcotic substances.
The Tiruchi NIB CID unit, headed by an Inspector, has under its jurisdiction Tiruchi City, Tiruchi Rural, Perambalur, Karur and Ariyalur districts. The 14 other NIB units in the State are based at Chennai, Madurai, Salem, Dindigul, Theni, Villupuram, Tuticorin, Vellore, Ramanathapuram, Tuticorin, Coimbatore, Nagapattinam, Kancheepuram, Sivaganga and Kanyakumari districts.
In the current year, 56 cases have been registered till now with the unit seizing 56.4 kg of ganja and arresting 60 persons. Six vehicles including two cars that were allegedly used for transportation of the narcotic substance were also seized along with the contraband. The sources say majority of seizures were effected in Karur and Tiruchi districts, adding that ganja usually made its way in Tamil Nadu from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The contraband also made its way from the hilly terrains in the State.
The sleuths say those in the illegal trade had their own information network for transporting and selling. In addition to keeping vigil on the selling points based on information network, intelligence would be collected on the mode of illegal transport of narcotic substances, the sources said, citing the ingenious method smugglers adopted recently at Chennai to transport a large quantity of ganja in a tanker lorry that was confiscated on information. Alongside collecting intelligence on sale and transport of narcotics substances, and conducting effective raids, the NIB Tiruchi unit has planned to embark on an awareness campaign in educational institutions soon.
