Chennai’s own ‘Breaking Bad’, 7 arrested for running crystal meth lab at home

In a case reminiscent of the hit web-series ‘Breaking Bad’, a Chennai chemistry student stepped into the shoes of Walter White, recruited by a drug syndicate to manufacture crystal meth (methamphetamine). The gang had set up a covert lab in the city, to produce the highly-addictive drug under the radar.
However, much like White’s eventual downfall, their operation was brought to a halt when the Chennai Police uncovered the hidden lab and arrested seven people involved in the racket.
According to police, among those arrested were a post graduate student in chemistry, four engineering students and two others.
The accused tried to make the drug in a makeshift lab set up in the residence of one of the seven students. Police said that they made their parents believe that they were involved in academic research as part of their studies. They sourced the equipment to make the drug from Parrys Corner, a well-known commercial hub in the city, official said.
The Anti-Drug Intelligence Unit, acting on a tip-off, raided the makeshift lab and seized 250 grams of crystal meth. Authorities believe the seized drugs were intended for comparison with their own production, as part of a larger plan to manufacture and sell the highly addictive substance.
Police also said that the accused procured the main chemical compounds that are used for making methamphetamine under the guise of academic research and had managed to raise about Rs 3 lakh for the purpose of procurement and related activities.
The accused were identified as Fleming Francis, Naveen, Pravin Pranav, Kishore, Gnanapandian, Arun Kumar, and Dhanush. Among them, Pravin, Dhanush, Kishore, and Naveen had completed their degrees in robotics engineering, while Gnanapandian held a master’s degree in chemistry — skills they allegedly used to attempt drug production.
The arrests follow mounting concerns over the state’s ability to combat synthetic drug production. Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi had recently voiced criticism, questioning the efficacy of local law enforcement in addressing the synthetic drug crisis, despite multiple ganja seizures.
Even Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin released a video message urging youth to avoid drug addiction. “As one amongst your family and standing in a father’s position, I request you not to fall prey to drug,” Stalin had said.