Three arrested for smuggling banned tobacco products, over 112 kg seized

Three persons were arrested in Nandambakkam on Tuesday for allegedly smuggling and distributing banned gutka products. The police seized 112.7 kg of gutka packets, a car, a two-wheeler and two mobile phones from the accused.

Based on a tip-off, a police team led by the inspector of the Nandambakkam police station kept surveillance behind the TIDCO complex at Ganapathy Colony in Nandambakkam on Tuesday morning. During the operation, the police noticed three men unloading sacks from a car and transferring them onto a two-wheeler.

On seeing the police, the suspects allegedly attempted to flee. However, the police chased and apprehended all three of them. During inspection, the police found banned gutka packets concealed inside. Inquiry revealed that the accused had allegedly smuggled the tobacco products from Bengaluru by car and were preparing to distribute them in different parts of the city.

The arrested persons were identified as George Jegadish, 40, of MGR Nagar, Raja, 42, of MGR Nagar, and Shanmugasundaram, 43, of Perungudi. Further inquiry revealed that George Jegadish had two criminal cases pending against him.