Boobalan, a senior TVK official, was taken into custody by DRI agents in Nagapattinam on Thursday following the discovery of a 135‑kg methamphetamine shipment—worth an estimated several hundred crore rupees.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, the DMK's opposition leader, slammed the ruling party on X, alleging the drugs were destined for Sri Lanka and demanding an NIA and ED probe. He added that the consignment could have been worth "several hundred crore rupees," and questioned whether influential party members had been paid to facilitate the smuggling.
The Tamil Nadu government responded by expelling Boobalan and instructing cadres to sever all ties with him. A photo circulating online shows Boobalan alongside Chief Minister CM and TVK chief C. Joseph Vijay—fueling speculation about internal complicity.
The incident arrives at a critical juncture, as the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections loom and drug abuse remains a top electoral issue. It threatens to undermine Vijay's "Give up drugs, take up sports" campaign and could shift public sentiment.
The DRI has yet to issue an official statement, but the case has been handed over to the NIA, which is expected to open a formal inquiry within 48 hours.