Four arrested, over 500 kg gutkha seized in Vellore and Ranipet

Four people were arrested and over 500 kg of gutka was seized from them during vehicle checks in Vellore and Ranipet districts on Sunday.

Police identified the arrested persons as 23-year-old B. Dugesh, 23-year-old K. Gopal, 28-year-old N. Sural and 22-year-old V. Dayan. The first two are residents of Gudiyatham town in Vellore district and the other two are natives of Rajasthan.

A special police team carried out a check at Vettuvanam village near Pallikonda toll plaza on the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway (NH 48). The police stopped a two-wheeler and inspected the sacks carried in the vehicle, during which 26 kg of gutka was seized. Sural and Dayan were arrested for allegedly transporting the consignment from Bengaluru to traders in Vellore and neighboring towns. A case has been registered by Pallikonda police.

A special police team in Ranipet district intercepted an SUV at Pallur village near Arakkonam on Ranipet-Kancheepuram Main Road and seized 492 kg gutka from the vehicle. Suspects Dugesh and Gopal were arrested and a case was registered by Nemili police.

All the four accused were taken into judicial custody and sent to the Central Jail in Vellore. Further investigation is ongoing.