In a significant crackdown on interstate smuggling activities, police in the Gummidipoondi area near Chennai made two separate arrests on Wednesday night. The operations led to the seizure of contraband red sandalwood and a large quantity of gutka, both allegedly smuggled from the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh.
Red Sanders Logs Intercepted on Kumbuli Road
A vigilant police patrol team intercepted a motorcycle on Kumbuli Road near Elavur. The rider, identified as 51-year-old Murugan from Kammapalayam, was found to be transporting red sandalwood logs. Upon questioning and preliminary investigation, it was revealed that Murugan had brought the precious wood from Andhra Pradesh on his two-wheeler.
The police have seized both the illegal red sandalwood consignment and the motorcycle used in the crime. Authorities disclosed that Murugan has been involved in this smuggling racket for approximately the past year, indicating a sustained illegal operation.
Gutka Smuggler Caught at Integrated Check Post
In a parallel incident on the same night, law enforcement officials conducting routine vehicle checks at the modern integrated check post in Elavur apprehended another smuggler. The suspect, 40-year-old Sahul Ameer, a resident of Gummidipoondi, was caught smuggling gutka into Tamil Nadu.
Similar to the first case, Sahul Ameer was also using a motorcycle to transport the banned chewing tobacco product from Andhra Pradesh. The seizure highlights the ongoing challenge of curbing the flow of gutka across state borders where it is prohibited.
Ongoing Investigations and Wider Implications
Police have confirmed that further investigation is underway in both cases. These arrests underscore the active smuggling routes operating between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, particularly in the Gummidipoondi industrial corridor north of Chennai.
The successful interdiction by the patrol teams points to heightened vigilance. The smuggling of red sanders, a highly valued and endangered tree species, and gutka, a banned substance harmful to public health, represents significant losses in state revenue and poses serious legal and environmental concerns.
