72.20 lakh in new notes seized from gangs in Erode, Thanjavur

“We took custody of the five persons and after inquiry we handed over the money and persons to the Income Tax (I-T) Department,” Superintendent of Police (SP) of Erode District R Sivakumar told DT Next. 

Gobichettipalayam Inspector S Balamuralisundaram whose team seized the money said that he received an anonymous call on his mobile around 8.30 pm. “The caller said that a group is bringing unaccounted money for illegal exchange from Pollachi to Gobichettipalayam. He also mentioned the vehicle’s registration number and hung the call,” he said. 

The police were alerted and vehicle checking was intensified on the Modachur Road near Gobichettipalayam bus stand, as it was the only route to reach the destination mentioned by the caller. Around 9 pm the police stopped the said car with the registration number TN 41 AJ 0045 in front of Seethalakshmi Hospital. 

On checking the vehicle, the police found 1,830 new Rs 2,000 notes (18 bundles with 100 notes in each bundle and 30 notes separately) totalling Rs 36.6 lakh and Rs 100 notes for Rs 30,000 (three bundles of 100 notes each) concealed in a plastic cover below the seat. 

“During the inquiry occupants of that vehicle Sakthivel, a textile unit owner of Alandurai in Coimbatore and Manoj of Pollachi admitted that they took the money to exchange for commission against demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. They claimed that money in their possession was legally earned in the garment business. However, they admitted that it was in their possession for exchange near Seethalakshmi Marriage Hall,” Sivakumar said.