After a haul of nearly five tonnes of gutkha and other tobacco substances from a water bottle supply godown in Nemilchery, the police intensified vigilance for curbing transportation of the banned substances from neighbouring States.
More policemen would be inducted into vehicle checking on inter-State borders and district borders, said a senior police officer. But while the number of raids has gone up, the quantity of gutkha seized has been less.
“Traders now stock smaller amounts and it is impossible to track every consignment,” said an official. “We have asked small traders not to fall prey to the big dealers involved in the illegal trade,” he said, hoping that they heeded.
During the raids conducted on Saturday, as many as 11 traders or sellers were arrested by the police for selling gutkha, pan masala and other tobacco-containing products.
The stock recovered from them was either packed in small packets or hidden in smaller vehicles like two-wheelers.
Cases have been booked by the Choolaimedu, Chintadripet, Anna Salai, St. Thomas Mount, Adambakkam, Selaiyur and Meenambakkam police.
20 boxes seized
The Uthiramerur police seized a mini-goods carrier transporting banned tobacco products on Sunday.
According to police, the vehicle was intercepted by the police around 11 a.m. during a vehicle check conducted near Big Lake.
Thorough checking of the vehicle led to the seizure of the tobacco product sachets in 20 boxes. Subsequently, the van driver, Ravi of Madurantakam, was arrested.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the products were transported from Dusi in Tiruvannamalai district to Madurantakam in Kancheepuram district.
(With inputs from Staff Reporter in Kancheepuram)
