Three held after police chase over alleged 300kg gutkha consignment in Tamil Nadu
Police in Tamil Nadu arrested three alleged tobacco smugglers after a pursuit lasting about 40 kilometres, during which a head constable clung to the roof of their car. Officers said the vehicle was carrying about 300kg of gutkha and other banned tobacco products allegedly being transported from Bengaluru to Coimbatore.
Three men have been arrested in Tamil Nadu after police pursued a car allegedly carrying about 300 kilograms of gutkha and other banned tobacco products, authorities said. The chase began near Coimbatore when officers stopped the vehicle during a routine check and noticed sacks in its rear section. Police said the occupants allegedly pushed officers, locked the doors and drove away when a sub-inspector attempted to inspect the goods.
Head Constable Velmurugan reportedly climbed onto the roof of the moving car and held on as it travelled through Vilankurichi, Kalapatti Four Roads and Chitra towards a toll plaza. Motorists recorded the incident on their mobile phones. Police said the driver paid the toll using FASTag, crossed the barriers and continued at high speed.
Kaniyur police, accompanied by multiple ambulances, joined the pursuit, while Avinashi police were alerted to help intercept the vehicle. The pursuit continued for nearly 40 kilometres before ending in the neighbouring district of Tiruppur. Police vehicles and ambulances surrounded the car and brought it to a halt.
Two occupants allegedly fled initially, while a third was detained. Police later caught the other two following a search operation and seized the vehicle. Ambulance personnel and volunteers who assisted in the pursuit and helped rescue the head constable were praised.
During questioning, the three men allegedly told police they were from Rajasthan and had transported the tobacco products from Bengaluru for delivery in Coimbatore. The supplied report did not identify the suspects or specify the charges filed against them. Further investigation is under way.
Police are expected to examine the seized consignment, the vehicle’s ownership and the alleged supply route as part of the case.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.