Nine Arrested for Gang Member’s Murder in Drug Peddling Case

rapid Summary:

• Nine individuals were arrested by Moranam police for the murder of Mohammed Afsal, a 21-year-old welder near Cheyyar town in Tiruvannamalai.
• The arrested suspects include S. Ramana (24), K. Velu (19), B. Kathirvelu (22), G. Parthiban (25),F. Ramachandran (36), S. Prabhu (34), K. Jeeva (20), S. Naveen Kumar (22), and H. Jagadeesan (26). All are reportedly drug peddlers from Cheyyar and surrounding areas; they are now lodged in Vellore’s Central Prison.
• Investigations revealed that Afsal was involved in drug peddling with the gang across multiple towns such as Cheyyar, Arani, and Vandavasi, and had connections with suppliers from Andhra Pradesh to procure ganja for distribution locally.
• The gang allegedly gave money to Afsal weeks prior to procure ganja but accused him of misusing the funds without restitution or commitment to return it.
• tensions within the gang escalated as Afsal aimed to establish himself as their leader-leading them to eliminate him after luring him near a lake with alcohol and subsequently burying his body there.
• DIG Vellore Range G Dharmarajan suspended Circle Inspector Jeevaraj Manikandan of Cheyyar Town police for negligence in curbing local drug activities despite prior service as Sub-Inspector at the same station.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
This case highlights several critical issues: escalating organized crime linked to drug trafficking in smaller towns like Cheyyar and inadequate preventive enforcement measures from law enforcement agencies responsible for such areas’ safety concerns about public health impacts caused indirectly also-enclaves fewer barriers weak systemic robberies closure gaps