Ganja smugglers jump from flyover

Three history-sheeters sustained serious fractures after jumping off a flyover while attempting to escape police during a ganja smuggling operation in the city late on Tuesday night. Police seized about 5.5 kg of ganja from the accused.
The incident occurred around 11.30 p.m. during intensive vehicle checks conducted by a special police team under the Roots flyover on Amarar Jeevanandham Road, falling within the jurisdiction of the Ratnapuri police station. The police intercepted a two-wheeler carrying three youths and stopped them for questioning.
On inspection, the police found around 5.5 kg of ganja concealed in their bags. Investigations revealed that the contraband had been smuggled from the Anaikatti region along the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border and was intended for sale in Coimbatore after being divided into small packets.
The accused were identified as Joshua Thavapriyan, 27, of the Gandhipuram area in Coimbatore, and Swiss Bernard, 26, and Bharani Soundar, 24, both from Tiruppur district. Police said all three had previous criminal records.
When police attempted to take them into custody and bring them to the station, the trio suddenly jumped off the flyover in an attempt to escape. Joshua Thavapriyan suffered a severe fracture to his left leg, while Bharani Soundar and Swiss Bernard sustained serious fractures below the knee in their right legs.
Police rescued the injured men and admitted them to the Coimbatore Government Hospital for treatment. A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and further investigation is under way.