Tamil Nadu Drug & Job Scam Explained: Complete Timeline From Nightclub Brawl To Srikanth's Arrest
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Tamil Actor Srikanth Drugs Case: On May 22, a scuffle outside a Chennai nightclub led to the arrest of eight individuals, including ex-AIADMK member T Prasad.
Tamil Actor Srikanth Drugs Case: The Tamil Nadu drug and job scam has rocked the state's political, policing, and entertainment circles. What began as a brawl outside a Chennai nightclub has unraveled into a complex web involving drug trafficking, job scam, political connections, and a wider criminal nexus reaching the Tamil film industry with the arrest of actor Srikanth while Krishna has been detained.
What Is The Tamil Nadu Drug And Job Scam?
The Tamil Nadu drug and job scam is a criminal case involving drug trafficking, large-scale job fraud, and alleged political and police collusion. It came to light after the arrest of T Prasad, a former AIADMK functionary, following a clash outside a Chennai nightclub in May 2025. Investigations revealed that Prasad had been running a Rs 2 crore job scam, duping over 200 people by promising them government jobs in departments like TNPSC and the Income Tax Department.
Alongside this, he was also found to be part of a cocaine distribution network, sourcing drugs from a Bengaluru-based dealer through international links. The case has since widened to include arrests and questioning of Tamil film actors, uncovering deep ties between the drug trade, the entertainment industry, and local authorities.
How Was The Scam Uncovered? Timeline
On May 22, a scuffle outside a nightclub in Chennai led to the arrest of eight individuals, including T Prasad. Prasad was reportedly found under the influence of narcotics. What seemed like a routine police case soon revealed a larger criminal operation when Prasad's interrogation uncovered his deep involvement in both drug distribution and job scams.
Prasad allegedly collected Rs 2 lakh each from over 200 job seekers, falsely promising placements in government departments like the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), Chennai Corporation, Water Board, Income Tax Department, and Indian Railways.
Victims say Prasad used fake appointment letters and documents, and when questioned, issued threats and attempted to grab land from some complainants. Many of these victims are still coming forward, and three FIRs have already been filed.
Police Involvement: Officers Under the Scanner
The scam appears to have been enabled by police collusion. One of the key names is Senthil, a Chief Constable from Madurai, who was arrested for helping Prasad. Additionally, two sub-inspectors were questioned for allegedly tracking phone calls and sharing confidential location data with the accused. This suggests an alarming breach of duty by some members of the police force.
The Cocaine Trail
The investigation into Prasad's dealings revealed his links to a cocaine supply chain. According to police, Prasad sourced drugs from a dealer in Bengaluru, named Pradeep, who in turn was connected to a Ghanaian national, John. The police seized 11 grams of cocaine, and financial transactions have indicated possible money laundering. This raised questions about how deep and wide the narcotics racket really goes.
Srikanth's Arrest
On June 23, Tamil actor Srikanth was arrested for cocaine consumption, which he admitted was supplied by Prasad. Srikanth was interrogated for over eight hours at the Nungambakkam Police Station. His blood test results confirmed drug use. A search of his home uncovered seven empty packets and one gram of cocaine. Srikanth has since been remanded to judicial custody till July 7.
Actor Krishna Detained
The case widened on June 24-25, when actor Krishna was detained for questioning. Though not formally arrested yet, a special task force has been tracking his activities. Authorities suspect his possible involvement in the same drug circle. Meanwhile, two leading actresses are reportedly under police scanner, according to reports.
Are More Arrests Likely?
Police officials believe that Srikanth and Krishna are not the only film personalities involved. The cocaine trail and its link to the Tamil film industry have raised serious concerns. Sources suggest that several other celebrities may soon be called in for questioning. Chennai Police have tightened their watch over possible links between film stars and drug peddlers operating in the region.
Political Fallout
The case has serious political implications due to Prasad's past association with AIADMK. His role as a former party functionary, along with the arrest of police officials, suggests a well-shielded criminal enterprise. The Chennai police have assured the public that no one will be spared, regardless of their status or profession.
Investigations are ongoing, with more victims of the job scam stepping forward. Several accused individuals remain absconding, while the drug-money-politics nexus continues to be unraveled.
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