7 engineering, chemistry students arrested in Chennai for allegedly running secret meth lab

Authorities are currently probing the extent of the operation and its links to wider drug syndicates. (Representational Image)

In a significant anti-drug operation, seven students in Chennai have been arrested by the Tamil Nadu Police for allegedly operating a methamphetamine laboratory from a residential property in Kodungaiyur. The group, which included four robotics engineering graduates and one MSc chemistry student, were reportedly running a makeshift lab to produce methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, according to The Times of India.

The Anti-Drug Intelligence Unit (ADIU), acting on a tip-off, conducted a raid on the premises and uncovered around 250 grams of methamphetamine, along with various scientific equipment and chemicals used in the drug's production. Authorities seized a range of laboratory tools, including weighing machines, glass jars, test tubes, pipettes, burettes, and mobile phones, all of which were allegedly used in the illicit operation.

The students, identified as Fleming Francis, 21; Naveen, 22; Pravin Pranav, 21; Kishore, 21; Gnanapandian, 22; Arunkumar, 22; and Dhanush, 23, have been taken into judicial custody. Police believe that the group had been supplying the methamphetamine to a larger criminal network. While the families of the accused claimed that their activities were related to academic research, further investigation revealed the illegal drug manufacturing inside the rented property.

One of the key suspects, Gnanapandian, who holds an MSc in chemistry, is suspected of being the main figure behind the drug production process due to his expertise. The other members of the group allegedly assisted in sourcing the chemicals and equipment from pharmaceutical companies and online suppliers.

Authorities are currently probing the extent of the operation and its links to wider drug syndicates. Police are also investigating how the chemicals were obtained and whether any pharmaceutical firms or suppliers were involved in providing these materials. The ADIU has focused its attention on curbing the production of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine in the city.

The case has raised concerns about the involvement of educated young professionals in drug-related crimes, with police and local officials working to understand how these students became involved in such an operation.