5 from AP held for smuggling ration rice near Vaniyambadi

After the Taluk Supply Officer (TSO) received a flurry of complaints about smuggling of ration rice by Andhra Pradesh residents through the Devarajpuram check post, revenue and supply officials intensified the vehicle check in the region. 

On Friday, officials received information that locals have detained two cars, a two-wheeler and two lorries which were reportedly smuggling more than 5 tonnes of ration rice to Andhra Pradesh. 

However, the drivers of two lorries, which were ferrying five tonnes of rice, after an altercation with the villagers managed to flee the spot. 

Officials reached the spot and arrested the remaining five persons, who were detained by locals. The arrested persons were identified as Sekar Reddy (24), Balu (22), Govardan Reddy (26), Vijayakumar (26) and Manjunath (30). All of them hail from Ramapuram in AP, said the officials. 

They seized the two cars, one two-wheeler, which were used for smuggling four mobile phones and Rs 50,000 from the arrested persons. Further inquiries are on to nab the two lorry drivers.