45 beedi bundles to Sri Lanka seized, one held

Ramanathapuram, Feb 29 (UNI) Police today foiled an attempt to smuggle 45 bundles of beedi to Sri Lanka and arrested a lorry driver in this connection here.

Police sources said during the routine surveillance along the Ramanathapuram coastline, a police team intercepted a lorry at Thirupulani seashore near Keezhakarai, early this morning.

However, the driver did not stop the vehicle and attempted to speed off.

Police have gave a chase and the driver Sekhar was arrested.

However, his two accomplices jumped off the lorry and sped away on a motorcycle.

Police recovered 45 bundles of beedi, valued at about Rs 2.70 lakh, from the lorry.

The driver admitted that the consignment was meant for smuggling to Sri Lanka by a 'clandestine' boat operator.

Police impounded the lorry and a search was on to nab three others, including the motorcyclist, who managed to give the slip.

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