A 27-year-old man in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, was arrested while attempting to collect a couriered package containing Tapentadol, a prescription opioid regulated under Indian narcotic laws. The arrest highlights the increasing misuse of online drug procurement channels for accessing controlled substances.

Key highlights

Courier pickup leads to arrest

• P Mariya Jennis, a resident of Navalur Kuttapattu, was apprehended while picking up a parcel at a courier office on Manalvarithurai Road, Sangiliyandapuram.

• He had allegedly ordered 100 grams of Tapentadol tablets from a seller in Surat, Gujarat, for ₹40,000.

• Police, acting on a prior tip-off, detained him at 2:30 PM just after he signed for the delivery.

Legal action taken
A case has been registered under:

• Section 123 (causing hurt by harmful substances)

• Section 278 (illegal sale of medicinal drugs) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

• Section 18 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act

• Jennis was remanded to judicial custody by a local magistrate.

Repeat offender profile

• Police officials stated that Jennis is a habitual offender and has prior involvement in similar drug-related activities.

• An ongoing investigation is underway to trace the courier sender and uncover the larger supply network.

The arrest underscores growing concerns around the abuse of courier services for drug trafficking, particularly involving Tapentadol, which has seen increasing misuse across India. Law enforcement continues to strengthen surveillance on e-pharmacy misuse and interstate narcotics shipments.