The police in Chennai arrested 234 people in the anti-organised crime and anti-narcotics drive in the city. The special drives were meant to beef up law enforcement and curb criminal networks in the various parts of the State capital with the guidance of Police Commissioner Abhin Dinesh Modak.
Police sources said 133 of the arrested were history-sheeters and frequent criminals who were said to be involved in criminal offences including extortion, violence and gang-related offences. In a simultaneous anti-narcotics movement, 101 others were arrested for narcotics trafficking and illegal sale of banned substances.
About 21.4kg of ganja and 1070 painkiller tablets allegedly being distributed illegally were seized in the raids. Authorities also raided networks engaged in gutka storage and sale of all banned tobacco articles.
The operations were conducted simultaneously in all the 12 police station zones and four Prohibition Enforcement Wing zones of Chennai. Special teams consisting of assistant commissioners and inspectors visited vehicles, raided and monitored locations where crime and drugs were suspected to be taking place in sensitive locations.
The crackdown was mainly on rowdy elements, gang fights and organised illegal supply chains, police said. Enforcement operations against narcotics trade, illegal settlements and repeat offenders would also go on in the coming weeks, officials said, to safeguard public safety and ensure law and order in the city.