Chennai Police Destroy Large Amounts of Seized Drugs

Chennai Police are regularly destroying large amounts of drugs they have taken from people. This includes many kilograms of ganja. These actions help keep the city safe and follow important rules for handling evidence.
By Newsroom | Crime, Chennai |

Large quantities of seized drugs, primarily ganja, have been systematically destroyed by various police units in Chennai, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and manage confiscated evidence. The Greater Chennai Police, along with its specialized wings and satellite units like Tambaram City Police, have conducted multiple disposal operations over recent years. These actions are undertaken to adhere to legal and environmental standards, prevent diversion of substances, and manage storage challenges.

Greater Chennai Police destroy over 2,000 kg of ganja - 1

Escalating Drug Seizures and Disposal Efforts

Recent reports indicate a sustained high volume of drug seizures in Chennai, prompting regular and significant destruction of these confiscated materials. These operations serve as a visible demonstration of law enforcement's commitment to clearing accumulated evidence and reducing the risk associated with storing such contraband.

Greater Chennai Police destroy over 2,000 kg of ganja - 2

Timeline of Major Drug Destructions

  • February 17, 2026: Greater Chennai Police destroy over 2,000 kg of ganja and other narcotic substances. This operation was overseen by the Drug Disposal Committee (DDC) and conducted through incineration, adhering to all legal and environmental protocols.

  • November 2, 2025: The Greater Chennai Police DDC destroyed 1,023 kg of ganja seized in 197 cases. The incineration took place at an authorized facility near Chengalpattu, following all required standards.

  • August 9, 2025: An article discusses the Greater Chennai Police's "smart and relentless war to eradicate drugs," emphasizing their commitment to making Chennai a drug-free city.

  • July 22, 2025: Tambaram City Police destroyed 833.5 kg of seized ganja. The disposal was approved by the narcotic disposal committee and conducted at a licensed incineration facility.

  • March 20, 2025: Police seized 102 kg of ganja and arrested two individuals, Paraman and Daniel Raja, near Anakaputhur.

  • April 10, 2025: The Greater Chennai Police (GCP) arrested 17 drug peddlers, including eight foreign nationals, over a month. This initiative was led by the Anti-Narcotic Intelligence Unit (ANIU).

  • March 16, 2024: Enforcement Bureau officials arrested 402 suspects and seized 1,827 kg of ganja, along with other narcotics valued at ₹2 crore.

  • December 15, 2023: Police officials stated that over 48,000 kg of ganja was seized in Tamil Nadu over the last two years. This includes 48,116 kg of ganja, 1.35 kg of heroin, and other drugs.

  • June 26, 2023: Greater Chennai City Police destroyed 1,215 kg of ganja, methamphetamine, and heroin, valued at around ₹2 crore. This marked the third such destruction within a year.

  • June 27, 2023: While labeled as low priority due to incomplete summary, a report indicates contraband worth ₹2 crore was destroyed in Chengalpattu, with smugglers' accounts frozen.

  • November 1, 2025: Reports of police destroying 1,023 kg of ganja align with another report from November 2, 2025. In September of the same year, 590 kg of ganja was destroyed.

  • August 15, 2024: The GCP destroyed 417 kg of ganja and other drugs, valued at approximately ₹42.24 lakh. This was the fifth batch of drugs destroyed over two years.

  • October 29, 2024: Tambaram City Police busted a smuggling racket and seized 155 kg of ganja.

  • October 8, 2022: Chennai police destroyed 845 kg of ganja and other narcotics worth ₹1.5 crore. This operation followed an earlier destruction in June of over 1,300 kg.

  • June 26, 2022: Chennai police destroyed 1,300 kg of ganja and 30 grams of heroin seized in 68 cases. Commissioner of Police Shankar Jiwal was present.

  • June 26, 2022: In a separate incident on the same date, the Greater Chennai Police destroyed 1,026 kg of ganja seized in 13 cases.

  • July 11, 2022: Police seized 25.4 kg of ganja and other banned substances during raids. Ganja seizures often originate from Andhra Pradesh.

  • December 13, 2023: An Additional Director General of Police (Enforcement Bureau CID) stated over 48,000 kg of ganja was seized in Tamil Nadu over two years, alongside arrests of 825 peddlers from other states.

  • February 17, 2026: The Greater Chennai Police's Drug Disposal Committee (DDC) carried out the scientific disposal of seized narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances through incineration.

  • June 26, 2023: The Greater Chennai City Police (GCP) destroyed 1,215 kg of ganja, methamphetamine, heroin, and other narcotics seized in various cases.

Rationale for Regular Drug Disposal

The destruction of seized narcotics is a multi-faceted undertaking driven by several critical factors:

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Greater Chennai Police destroy over 2,000 kg of ganja - 3

  • Legal Compliance: Procedures are meticulously followed to obtain court orders before disposal, ensuring that all actions are within the purview of the law.

  • Storage Limitations: The accumulation of seized substances over time presents significant challenges regarding secure and adequate storage space.

  • Hazardous Nature: Many narcotics are inherently hazardous, posing risks to personnel and the environment if not handled and disposed of properly.

  • Vulnerability to Diversion: Periodic destruction minimizes the risk of confiscated drugs being stolen or diverted back into circulation.

  • Environmental Standards: Incineration is carried out at authorized facilities, with strict adherence to environmental regulations.

"The Greater Chennai Police have taken periodic initiatives towards the destruction of various drugs like ganja, Methamphetamine, etc., seized under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act, according to the city police." - Article 4

Key Actors and Committees

The systematic destruction of seized drugs involves specific bodies and high-ranking officials within the police department.

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Greater Chennai Police destroy over 2,000 kg of ganja - 4

  • Drug Disposal Committee (DDC): This committee, constituted as per orders from the Commissioner of Police, is central to the scientific disposal process. It ensures that all procedures, from handling to incineration, comply with legal and environmental standards.

  • Commissioner of Police: Officials like A. Arun and previously Shankar Jiwal have overseen these operations, signifying the importance placed on drug destruction at the highest levels.

  • Joint Commissioner of Police: Positions such as Joint Commissioner of Police (East), P. Vijay Kumar, and Joint Commissioner of Police, North, R.V. Ramya Bharati, are involved in the oversight and execution of these drives.

  • Deputy Commissioners: Officers like Ms Geethanjali (Deputy Commissioner, Cyber Crime Cell) have supervised specific disposal events.

Scale of Seizures and Destroyed Quantities

The volumes of narcotics destroyed underscore the pervasive nature of the drug trade in the region.

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Date of Destruction (Approx.)Quantity Destroyed (kg)Primary SubstanceSource Area MentionedOther Substances MentionedApproximate Value
February 17, 2026> 2,000GanjaN/ANarcotic & psychotropic substancesN/A
November 2, 20251,023GanjaN/AN/AN/A
July 22, 2025833.5GanjaN/AN/AN/A
June 26, 20231,215GanjaN/AMethamphetamine, Heroin₹2 crore
October 8, 2022845GanjaN/AKetamine, synthetic drugs₹1.5 crore
June 26, 20221,300GanjaN/AHeroin₹2 crore
June 26, 20221,026GanjaN/AN/AN/A
December 13, 2023 (Seizure)48,116GanjaN/AHeroin, narcotic tablets, othersN/A
March 16, 2024 (Seizure)1,827GanjaN/AMethaqualone, Methamphetamine, etc.₹2 crore

Note: Values are approximate and based on reported figures at the time of destruction or seizure.

Broader Campaign Against Drug Trafficking

The destruction of seized drugs is part of a larger, sustained campaign by the Greater Chennai Police and other law enforcement agencies to curb drug trafficking and abuse.

  • Enforcement Actions: These include raids, investigations into smuggling networks, and arrests of peddlers, including foreign nationals and individuals from other states. Notably, in one month, 17 drug peddlers were arrested, and over a month, 402 suspects were apprehended with significant seizures.

  • Financial Investigations: Efforts are underway to freeze the assets of narcotic offenders, with over ₹18 crore in assets frozen according to reports from December 2023.

  • Public Awareness and Rehabilitation: The police are also engaged in awareness programs in schools and plan to conduct drug abuse surveys to assess the level of drug abuse in society.

Conclusion

The consistent and large-scale destruction of seized narcotics by the Greater Chennai Police and allied units demonstrates a robust operational framework for managing confiscated illegal substances. These regular disposals, conducted under strict legal and environmental compliance, are essential for evidence management, risk mitigation, and upholding the integrity of law enforcement operations. The sheer volume of drugs destroyed, coupled with ongoing enforcement actions, indicates a persistent challenge in combating drug trafficking in the region. Future efforts will likely continue to focus on both interdiction and the efficient, safe disposal of seized contraband.

Primary Sources Used

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the police destroy seized drugs?
They do this to follow laws, save storage space, and stop the drugs from being used again. It also helps protect the environment.
Q: What kinds of drugs are destroyed?
Mostly ganja, but also other drugs like heroin and methamphetamine are destroyed.
Q: How much drugs has Chennai Police destroyed?
In recent years, they have destroyed many thousands of kilograms of drugs, with one destruction event in February 2026 destroying over 2,000 kg of ganja alone.
Q: Who is in charge of destroying the drugs?
A special group called the Drug Disposal Committee, with help from police leaders, manages the destruction process.
Q: Are these drugs destroyed safely?
Yes, the drugs are burned at special places that follow rules to protect the environment and people.