The Q Branch police, dealing with cases of extremism and terrorism, arrested a top functionary of the proscribed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE [Images]) in Chennai on Wednesday night.

 Acting on specific Intelligence, the Q branch sleuths arrested J Thambi Annan alias Daniel (46), hailing from Kilinochchi in Sri Lanka [Images].

 Describing the arrest as a ''significant and important catch'', top police officials said Daniel was heading the LTTE's procurement module and has been in the top of the outfit's hierarchy.

 Daniel has been the pivot in procuring major consignments, including explosive substances, for the LTTE from India and other parts of the world.

 He was also involved in the attempts to smuggle consignments of aluminium ingots and ball bearings, which were seized by the police in Ramanathapuram and Madurai [Images] districts recently.

 The Q branch police would soon move court to take him into their custody to trace the roots of network supply in the State to the banned outfit.