Bollywood actor Vishal Brahma, known for his minor role in the 2019 film Student of the Year 2, was arrested at Chennai International Airport on Monday after customs officials discovered 3.5 kg of methaqualone—an illicit recreational drug—hidden in a false compartment of his trolley bag. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is approximately ₹40 crore, making it one of the largest individual drug busts in the city this year.
Brahma, 32, originally from Assam, had arrived on flight AI 347 from Singapore. During interrogation, he revealed that he was allegedly lured by a Nigerian drug syndicate to transport the contraband. He claimed that he received the bag in Cambodia and was instructed to deliver it to a recipient in Chennai. The actor insisted that he was unaware of the contents at the time of collection but later admitted being paid for the delivery.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which led the operation, is expanding its probe to identify and apprehend members of the Nigerian syndicate operating across Southeast Asia and India. Authorities are examining Brahma’s travel history, phone records, and financial transactions to map the network and uncover whether other individuals were involved in the international drug trafficking operation.
This arrest has intensified scrutiny over the involvement of film industry personalities in narcotics trafficking. In recent months, several actors from Tamil cinema have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, exposing a larger network of drug peddling and smuggling operations across southern India. Investigators believe the use of actors and public figures may be an attempt by traffickers to avoid suspicion during transportation and delivery.
Police sources confirmed that Brahma is currently in custody and is being questioned regarding the identity of the recipients and intermediaries involved in the operation. Legal experts note that under the NDPS Act, trafficking such a large quantity of drugs carries severe penalties, including long-term imprisonment and heavy fines.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the film industry and the public, raising concerns about the infiltration of foreign drug syndicates into India and the recruitment of young actors and professionals to serve as couriers. Authorities have urged vigilance and cooperation from the public in reporting suspicious activities related to narcotics.