Smuggling racket busted, 5 Lankans held

Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Aug 7 (UNI) The Q Branch Police unearthed a smuggling racket and arrested seven people, including five Sri Lankan nationals, in connection with the recent seizure of 1,250 litres of acetic acid today.

Police sources said a special police team seized the acetic acid meant for smuggling to the LTTE from a defunct Coir Industry at Thoppu Valasai coastal hamlet, here on July 31 last.

After an intense probe, the 'Q' Branch police unearthed the smuggling racket and arrested seven persons, including five Sri Lankan nationals, who were the LTTE sympathizers.

The Lankans were arrested from different parts of the State, including Villupuram and Tiruchirapalli.

They were identified as Kirubakaran, Jegan, Prem Kumar, Dushyanthan alias Viji, Suba Seelan alias Shiva, all hailing from Kilinochi in Sri Lanka, and their associates Muniasamy and Sasikumar from Nagatchi Village in Ramanathapuram District.

The arrested Sri Lankans came to Tamil Nadu in different periods and formed a net to procure the requirements of LTTE.

The acetic acid was procured from different parts of the State and was stored in the Coir Industry for smuggling to Sri Lanka.

However, the police seized the consignment. The acetic acid was used for cleaning rust in assault rifles, pistols and other artillery guns.

Senior police officials were questioning the arrested people at Uchchipuli Police Station, the sources added.

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