Beedi leaves worth Rs 50 Lakh seized

Police foiled an attempt to smuggle beedi leaves to Sri Lanka, seizing contraband worth Rs 50 lakh along with a boat and a motorcycle during a late-night patrol in Thoothukudi district.
The operation was carried out by the Q Division police during routine surveillance at Vivekananda Kalli Beach, under the limits of Thalamuthu Nagar police station.
Acting on suspicion, the police intercepted a double-engined piper boat without a registration number that was allegedly being prepared for a sea journey. On inspection, police recovered 34 bundles of beedi leaves, each weighing around 30 kg, believed to be meant for smuggling to Sri Lanka. A motorcycle used for the operation was also seized.
Two persons were arrested in connection with the case.
They were identified as Samsudeen, 39, son of Jalaluddin, of Siluvaiyar Kovil Street, Threspuram, and Sudalaimani, 23, son of Murugan, of Zakir Hussain Nagar, Thalamuthu Nagar.
Police said some suspects managed to flee with the load vehicle used for transporting the beedi leaves and a search is on to trace them.
Following preliminary investigation, the seized beedi leaves, the boat and the two accused were handed over to Customs officials in Thoothukudi for further action.
Police said investigations are continuing to identify the larger smuggling network involved.