The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Friday, October 16, arrested a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionary in Nagapattinam district, in connection with the alleged smuggling of around 135 kg of methamphetamine, a synthetic drug worth several hundred crore rupees.
According to reports, N Boopalan (42), an advocate and TVK’s Nagapattinam district executive committee member was arrested following searches in his residence by DRI officials.
Acting on intelligence inputs about the alleged smuggling of methamphetamine from Nagapattinam to Sri Lanka, a team of officials also raided the residences of J Suganathan, near Kilvelur and seized the contraband from his house. The drugs had been reportedly transported from Chennai to Nagapattinam by car.
Boopalan had served as the TVK’s in-charge for the Kilvelur Assembly constituency during the 2026 Assembly elections and investigators suspect that he was involved in the alleged trafficking operation along with Suganathan and others.
Suganathan had operated a lodge in Velankanni on lease and Boopalan’s wife is from Sri Lanka, with DRI officials examining a possible Sri Lankan connection, and a wider drug-smuggling network.
The DRI also searched the residences of Suganathan’s brother J Parthiban (29) and D Sathish (30) in Prathaparamapuram. The two men, along with Suganathan, were detained for questioning.
Legal proceedings have been initiated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Following Boopalan’s arrest, TVK Nagapattinam district secretary M Sugumaran announced his removal from the party’s primary membership and all positions and responsibilities.
The party said his alleged involvement in illegal activities was contrary to its principles and directed its cadres to remove ties with him.
Meanwhile, the photograph of Boopalan with Chief Minister and TVK president C Joseph Vijay has also been circulating on social media following the arrest.
Reacting to the arrest, Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin questioned Vijay’s campaign against drug abuse.
"If the Chief Minister runs a marathon saying ‘Give up drugs, take up sports’, his party members are acting as though they should give up what the Chief Minister says and take up drugs’,” Udhayanidhi said.
He also urged the Union government’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate the case thoroughly and take impartial action against everyone found to be involved.
Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) president TTV Dhinakaran has also criticised Vijay, saying the Chief Minister should monitor his own party functionaries before advising the public on drugs.
“What is the use of running a marathon and pretending to oppose drugs in public while keeping drug smugglers within the party itself?” Dhinakaran asked in a social media post.
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