Chennai: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested nine accused in a special camp in Trichy in connection with the Vizhinjam Port arms and drug recovery case. The arrest was made to further assist the investigation.
Earlier, the NIA met the Trichy Collector and asked him to take 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 alias Pradeep. In Dileep
The illegal drug and arms trade between Sri Lanka and India was controlled by Gunashekharan and Pushparajah. Haji Salim was responsible for supplying arms and drugs to the drug mafia based in Pakistan. The members were said to be working for the revival of the LTTE in India and Sri Lanka.
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The NIA is acting on a case registered on July 8 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Earlier, nine people were arrested in 2021 for carrying narcotic substances and illegal weapons in a ship near Vizhinjam port on the Arabian Sea.
Authorities seized 300 kg of heroin, five AK-47 machine guns and 1,000 9 mm bullets from the vessel.
Later, the Home Ministry directed the NIA to book a case after finding that the accused had committed an offense under the NIA Act, 2008.
Another accused, Suresh Rajan, a Sri Lankan national, was arrested from Angamaly for having relations with Haji Salim.
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Earlier, the NIA had charged Letchumanan Mary Franciska and five other Sri Lankan women for trying to forge documents to fund the LTTE.