Tamil Nadu: Two from Krishnagiri held for bid to smuggle 14 tons of ration rice to Karnataka

Two men were arrested by the Civil Supplies-CID in Dharmapuri district on Saturday, for smuggling rice from ration shops in the district to Karnataka. Authorities also confiscated 14.3 tons of ration rice and a van from them.

The arrested have been identified as A Syed Moula, 44, from Shoolagiri, and G Manivannan, 38, from Boganapalli, both from Krishnagiri district. Officials said the van belonged to Syed, while Manivannan was driving the vehicle.The two were apprehended during a vehicle check at MGR complex area on the Salem-Krishnagiri highway.

A team led by Civil Supplies-CID DSP R Vadivel, along with SI Perumal and deputy tahsildar Prabhu, stopped the van which was heading to Krishnagiri from Dharmapuri. “We found 14.3 tons of PDS rice in the van, and arrested the two,” the DSP said.During investigation it came to light that the duo intended to smuggle the rice into Karnataka and sell it for a higher price to North Indian workers.

Both were remanded in judicial custody and lodged at the Salem Central Prison. A case has been registered, and further probe is on.

This article has been republished from The Times of India.