On the morning of July 10, 2026, a police team from the R.K. Nagar Police Station set up surveillance near the IOC Diesel Yard after receiving a reliable tip‑off. The operation culminated in the interception of an autorickshaw carrying three men, during which officers discovered a cache of 1,200 Tapentadol painkiller tablets and 1.5 kg of ganja intended for sale.

Arrest Details

The three accused—Mohanasundaram alias “Barfi Mohan” (25) from New Washermenpet, Saddam Hussain (30) of Tondiarpet, and Eswaran alias “Prem” (25) from Kargil Nagar, Tiruvottiyur—were taken into custody. Mohanasundaram has 11 prior criminal cases, while Saddam Hussain and Eswaran each have four. Their criminal histories suggest involvement in previous narcotics‑related offenses.

Background and Societal Impact

Tapentadol is an opioid analgesic that has recently attracted attention in India due to rising abuse rates. Tamil Nadu, with its strategic coastal ports, has seen a surge in illicit drug trafficking, especially in the Chennai metropolitan area. The seizure of such a large quantity highlights the effectiveness of intelligence‑driven policing, but also signals the persistent demand for narcotics within the local market.

Ongoing Investigation

In addition to the seized tablets and cannabis, the autorickshaw itself was impounded as evidence. Investigators are now tracing the supply chain, determining the origin of the Tapentadol, and mapping connections to larger trafficking rings. Police officials have indicated that the findings will inform broader anti‑drug operations across the state, aiming to dismantle similar networks before they expand further.