In a major breakthrough, the Chennai city police detected a transhipment point where banned chewable tobacco products were smuggled from other States and supplied to various outlets in the city for illegal sale.
The police seized over 2,400 kg of gutkha products concealed in five containers, which were transported on train from Delhi.
“With this, we have seized nearly 4,000 kg gutkha from the Concor depot this week. It was being used as a transhipment point to supply the contraband to the entire city. We have arrested two persons while two others have absconded,” said Shashank Sai, Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Based on a tip-off, a team led by Tiruvottiyur inspector P.R. Chidambara Murugesan searched the premises of the Concor depot where they found five containers with the contraband and seized them. The containers were transported in the name of Jai Amba Transport.
V. Surya, 26, of Rajaji Nagar and S. Murugesan, 27, of Pulianthope were arrested.
Two on the run
The police are on the lookout for the main accused, Pandey of Sowcarpet and his unnamed accomplice. Investigation revealed that the duo came to the container terminal on Friday with a booking slip and threatened the manager to release the goods. However, the manager got suspicious and refused.
In 2017, the city police had seized 22,575 kg of banned tobacco products and 748 kg of ganja during raids. A total of 3,039 cases were registered and 3,281 persons were arrested.
