Chennai: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested nine accused lodged in a special camp in Trichy in connection with Vizhinjam Port arms and drugs recovery case. The arrest was made to aid the further investigation.
Earlier, the NIA met Trichy Collector and urged him to transfer the nine persons from the special camp.
According to IANS, the accused were identified as C. Gunashekharan alias Guna alias Prem Kumar, Pushparajah alias Pookutti Kanna, Mohammad Asmin, Alahapperumaga Sunil Ghamini Fonseca, Stanly Kennady Fernando, Ladiya, Dhanukka Roshan, Vella Suranka alias Gamage Suranga Pradeep, and Thilipan alias Dileepan.
The illegal drugs and arms trade in Sri Lanka and India was controlled by Gunashekharan and Pushparajah. The drug mafia was handled by Pakistan-based arms and drug supplier Haji Salim. The members were reportedly operating for the revival of LTTE in India and Sri Lanka.
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The NIA is acting on a case registered suo moto by the agency on July 8 under various sections of Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Earlier, nine persons were arrested for carrying narcotics substances and illegal arms on a boat near Vizhinjam Port in Arabian Sea in 2021.
The authorities recovered 300 kg of heroin, five AK-47 machine guns and 1000 rounds of 9 mm bullets from the boat.
Later, Home Ministry directed NIA to book a case after they found that the accused had committed an offense under NIA Act 2008.
Another accused Suresh Rajan, a Sri Lankan national, was arrested from Angamaly for having links with Haji Salim.
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Earlier, NIA charged Sri Lankan woman Letchumanan Mary Franciska and five others for trying to forge documents to fund LTTE.