NEW DELHI: Smuggled tobacco products worth Rs.1 crore were seized from three godowns and a lorry coming to Theni on Wednesday, officials said.
Initially, a special team comprising police and food safety officials intercepted the lorry coming here from Madurai and seized nine bundles of banned tobacco products.
Later, it raided three godowns on Gandhiji Road, Kadarkarai Nadar Street and near the weekly market as the seized tobacco bundles were addressed to these three godowns. They found hundreds of bundles of seized tobacco products, plastic tumblers and polythene bags in these godowns.
When the food safety officials tried to take up further investigation, the police intervened and said they alone would investigate the case.
After prolonged arguments, the food safety officials kept the seized the goods inside these godowns and sealed them. Earlier, they also took samples for lab test to take action. After a preliminary investigation, the police said that the goods were stocked in these godowns to transport to Kerala for retail sale. Investigation is on.
