Seven held in Puducherry for liquor smuggling

Seven persons were arrested in Puducherry for attempting to smuggle and hoard liquor for illegal sale in neighbouring Tamil Nadu ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled on Thursday. As part of preventive measures, liquor and tobacco shops in Puducherry were ordered shut for three days. The Excise Department sealed all liquor outlets from 10 a.m. on Tuesday to curb illegal movement of alcohol across the State borders.
Police intensified surveillance along border areas and intercepted several attempts to transport liquor into Tamil Nadu. Muthukrishnan of Manalipattu was arrested under Thirukanur police limits, with liquor bottles worth Rs. 19,304 seized. Pagur police arrested Karthi of Madugarai in Kompanthanmedu and confiscated liquor worth Rs. 3,020.
In another incident, Ranjith (25) and Sarapala (28) were arrested in Melparikkal Pattu, with liquor bottles and Rs. 1,750 in cash seized along with a motorcycle. Chakrapani was held in Ariyankuppam, where police seized 32 litres of liquor and a two-wheeler.
In separate cases, Senthil (40) in Villianur and Kumar (41) in Urulayanpettai were arrested for storing liquor at their residences for illegal sale. Police said all seven were involved in smuggling liquor from Puducherry into Tamil Nadu and hoarding it for sale at inflated prices ahead of the polls.