People who smuggled drugs from Sri Lanka to India has Pak connection; equipment and documents found in NIA raid

KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said Sri Lankan nationals nabbed for smuggling drugs from Sri Lanka to India have connections with Pakistan. Two of the group of nine arrested from Tiruchirappalli have connections with Pakistan. The NIA has found that they have links with Haji Salim network, which smuggles weapons and drugs.

Gunasekaran alias Guna and Pushparaj alias Pookutty in the group, have Pakistan connections. Both of them were previously associated with the LTTE. They are the leaders of the drug trade in Sri Lanka.

A raid was conducted at various centers in Tamil Nadu as part of the investigation conducted as part of the seizure of drugs from the Vizhinjam coast. Raids were conducted at various places in Chennai, Tirupur, Chengalpet and Tiruchirappalli districts on the suspicion that people associated with the gang were staying there. About 20 people living in the special camp in Tiruchirappalli are under the surveillance of the investigation team.

The investigating team seized several digital devices and documents in the raid conducted. A detailed examination of these revealed their Pakistan connection. The group aimed to revive the LTTE by transporting drugs and weapons through the Indian Ocean.