The Chennai Police are in the process of developing a database of parcel transporters, including courier and private bus operators, in the city.
The move comes in the wake of the seizure recently of two pistols and a huge quantity of lottery tickets at Aruppukottai in Virudhunagar district and Chennai. While the weapons were sent by a private parcel service, the lottery tickets were waiting at its booking office.
The suspect had used a fake address and mobile phone number to book the consignments, investigators said.
Transporting a contraband substance, knowingly or unknowingly, is an offence. “In this case, the tip-off came from the bus operator, who alerted the police about the suspicious consignments. We want to make it clear that physical verification of all consignments is a must. Parcel booking offices should have baggage scanners,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Central) V.A. Ravikumar.
According to him, the police were planning to devise a list of do's and don'ts for the staff handling parcels. “There has to be some checklist to ensure that no unlawful activity takes place. We are trying to infuse a sense of responsibility and commitment to their work. The police will also write to the State Transport Undertakings in this regard,” he said.
Address proof
In a meeting to be convened soon, the police would urge lorry/bus operators and courier service providers to demand proof of address from both the consignor and consignee. “A database containing the photo identification particulars of those booking the parcels and those receiving the same at the other end should be maintained for at least one month. In case of any suspicious persons or consignments, the parcel booking staff should alert the local police,” Mr. Ravikumar said.
