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

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

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

A special police team conducted a check at Vettuvanam village near the Pallikonda toll plaza on the Chennai–Bengaluru National Highway (NH 48). Police intercepted a two-wheeler and inspected the gunny bags carried on the vehicle, during which 26 kg of gutka was seized. Sural and Dayan were arrested while allegedly transporting the consignment from Bengaluru to traders in Vellore and neighbouring towns. A case was registered by Pallikonda police.

In Ranipet district, a special police team intercepted an SUV at Pallur village near Arakkonam on the Ranipet–Kancheepuram Main Road and seized 492 kg of gutka from the vehicle. The suspects Dugesh and Gopal were arrested, and a case was registered by Nemili police.

All four accused were remanded in judicial custody and lodged at the Central Prison in Vellore. Further investigation is on.