Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has questioned Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s silence over a major drug seizure along the state’s coastline, asking whether an alleged international narcotics network was operating with the knowledge of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leadership.

Palaniswami’s remarks came after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 137 kg of crystal methamphetamine during an operation in Nagapattinam district on October 16 and 17. According to the Ministry of Finance, the operation uncovered a suspected coastal drug-trafficking network allegedly attempting to smuggle narcotics to Sri Lanka through a mid-sea transfer.

The seized drugs were estimated to be worth more than ₹100 crore in the illicit market in the official account cited in the report. Palaniswami, however, referred to a valuation of approximately ₹400 crore in his political statement and demanded answers from the Chief Minister over the scale of the seizure and the alleged involvement of an expelled TVK functionary.

The AIADMK leader also criticised the state government over what he described as an intelligence failure, pointing out that the operation was conducted by a central agency rather than the state police. His allegations against the ruling party remain political claims and do not, by themselves, establish the involvement of its leadership in the alleged drug network.

Palaniswami asks Vijay to break his silence

In a post on X, Palaniswami questioned why Vijay had not publicly addressed the seizure after the Union Finance Ministry detailed the DRI operation.

“Can we assume that this drug issue is happening with the knowledge of the ruling party leadership and with their help?” Palaniswami asked, alleging that members of the ruling party were attempting to avoid accountability.

The former Chief Minister said the scale of the seizure raised serious questions about the suspected trafficking network. He called on Vijay to provide an explanation both as Chief Minister and as the leader of the TVK.

Palaniswami also accused the state leadership of remaining silent while questions were being raised about the alleged involvement of a former party functionary. He argued that the public deserved clarity about the case and the steps being taken to prevent drug trafficking along the coastline.

The AIADMK leader’s remarks form part of the opposition’s criticism of the TVK government over the seizure. Whether the alleged network had links beyond the individuals arrested will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.

DRI seizes 137 kg of crystal methamphetamine

The DRI operation took place on October 16 and 17 in a coastal village in Nagapattinam district. According to the official account cited in the report, investigators uncovered a suspected trafficking network allegedly planning to move the drugs towards Sri Lanka through a transfer at sea.

The agency seized 137 kg of crystal methamphetamine, a synthetic narcotic substance. The Ministry of Finance described the operation as one of the biggest narcotics seizures in Tamil Nadu’s coastal region in recent years.

The suspected use of a mid-sea transfer has drawn attention to the methods investigators believe the network may have intended to use to move the contraband across international waters.

The estimated value of the seized substance has featured prominently in political reactions to the case. While the official account cited in the report placed the value above ₹100 crore, Palaniswami referred to an estimated value of around ₹400 crore. The two figures should be distinguished rather than treated as a single confirmed valuation.

The seizure has also raised questions about the potential scale of the suspected operation and whether investigators will identify additional individuals or links to other trafficking activities.

Four arrested in connection with the drug haul

Four people have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody in connection with the seizure, according to the supplied report.

They have been identified as N Boopalan, 42, an expelled TVK functionary and lawyer from Chinthamani; J Suganathan, 27, a lodge operator from Velankanni; J Parthiban, 29, Suganathan’s brother; and D Sathish, 30.

Officials have identified Boopalan as the alleged mastermind of the suspected trafficking operation. The allegations against the accused remain subject to the investigation and judicial process.

Boopalan’s reported association with the TVK has become a central part of the political controversy. Palaniswami has questioned whether the alleged activities could have occurred without the knowledge of senior party leaders, but no evidence establishing such involvement was provided in the supplied report.

An individual’s alleged role in a criminal case does not, by itself, establish the responsibility of a political party or its leadership. Investigators will need to establish the facts, including the suspected network’s structure, the roles of the accused and any wider connections.

The DRI’s investigation is expected to focus on the alleged trafficking route and the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the drugs.

EPS invokes ‘Breaking Bad’ character to target TVK

Palaniswami used a reference to Walter White, the fictional chemistry teacher-turned-methamphetamine manufacturer from the crime drama series Breaking Bad, to criticise the alleged conduct of Boopalan.

The AIADMK leader described the case as an example of what he portrayed as a dual life involving political activity and alleged involvement in the methamphetamine trade. The comparison was a political analogy, not an official finding about the accused.

Palaniswami also contrasted the current seizure with earlier cases involving precursor chemicals such as pseudoephedrine. He argued that the recovery of a large quantity of processed crystal methamphetamine represented a different level of concern.

His comments were directed at the TVK government’s handling of drug-related issues and its public messaging on prevention. The reference to Breaking Bad added a pointed, satirical element to his criticism.

However, the allegations concerning Boopalan and any suspected wider network must be assessed on the evidence gathered by investigators rather than political comparisons.

Palaniswami questions Vijay’s anti-drug campaign

Palaniswami also referred to the Chief Minister’s anti-drug awareness campaign, criticising Vijay over the contrast between public messaging and the alleged trafficking case.

During a recent campaign event, Vijay reportedly wrote the slogan “Sports-ah Edu, Drugs-ah Vidu”, meaning “Take up sports, quit drugs”, on an awareness board.

The AIADMK leader questioned the purpose of such initiatives if, as he alleged, a major drug network was operating with the backing of people associated with the ruling party. His remarks were intended to challenge the government’s credibility on the issue.

The seizure has placed renewed attention on the state’s efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and prevent the movement of drugs through coastal routes. Such operations can involve coordination between central agencies, state police and other enforcement bodies.

The DRI’s role in the Nagapattinam operation also prompted Palaniswami to question why the state police had not uncovered the suspected network earlier. His criticism does not establish that state authorities were aware of the alleged trafficking or deliberately failed to act.

Threat allegations add to the political controversy

Palaniswami further alleged that TVK’s Nagapattinam town secretary Paulraj had issued threats to media organisations reporting on the drug seizure.

The claim adds another dimension to the controversy, involving concerns about media freedom and the reporting of an ongoing criminal investigation. The supplied information does not establish whether a formal complaint was filed or whether the allegation has been independently verified.

Palaniswami questioned whether attempts to intimidate journalists could prevent the public from learning the facts about the case. He called for accountability and urged the Chief Minister to address the allegations.

The reported threat allegation remains separate from the DRI’s investigation into the seized methamphetamine. Any claims of intimidation would require independent examination by the relevant authorities.

Opposition demands an official explanation

Palaniswami has demanded a comprehensive explanation from Vijay over the seizure, the alleged involvement of an expelled TVK functionary and the state government’s response to the case.

The AIADMK leader has framed the issue as a test of the administration’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking. He has also questioned the effectiveness of local intelligence and enforcement after the DRI conducted the operation.

The immediate focus remains on establishing the facts behind the suspected trafficking network, including the intended route to Sri Lanka and the roles of the four arrested individuals. Investigators will also need to determine whether further arrests or related cases emerge from the inquiry.

For now, the seizure of 137 kg of crystal methamphetamine is the central confirmed development in the supplied account, while allegations about political links and threats to the media remain claims requiring verification.

The case has triggered a political confrontation between the AIADMK and the TVK government. Palaniswami is demanding answers from Vijay, while the findings of the investigation will be crucial in determining the extent of the alleged network and whether any further individuals are implicated.