Five persons, including a husband and wife, were arrested at Vepery in Chennai for illegally possessing narcotic substances. Police seized 1.2 kg of ganja, 30 pain-relief tablets, two two-wheelers, four mobile phones, and a weighing machine.

Based on a tip-off, police conducted surveillance near a jewellery shop in Purasawalkam High Road on May 17, 2026. During the operation, police intercepted two persons who were standing suspiciously with a two-wheeler. Upon checking the bag in their possession, police found ganja packets and pain-relief tablets concealed for illegal sale.

The two accused — Joseph (20) of Moolakothalam and Mahendran Boopathy Mari (22) of Korukkupet — were arrested. Police seized 1.2 kg of ganja, 30 pain-relief tablets, one mobile phone, and one two-wheeler from them.

Based on information provided by the arrested accused, police later arrested three more persons on Monday (May 18) — Shalini (26) of Purasawalkam, her husband Gautham (27) of Purasawalkam, and Abbas Moideen (21) of Perambur — for allegedly supplying the narcotic substances for sale.

Police seized another two-wheeler, three mobile phones, ₹3,000 in cash, and a small weighing machine from them.

All the five accused persons were produced before a court after inquiry and were remanded in judicial custody as per court orders.