Darjeeling: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI,) Siliguri seized two trucks of betel nuts worth more than Rs 1crore. Four persons have been arrested in this connection.
Based on a tip-off, sleuths of the DRI had laid an ambush at Ghoshpukur Bypass under the Phansidewa Police station late at night on Sunday. Around midnight the two trucks were stopped by the sleuths. The trucks contained 39.15 metric tons of betel nuts. The consignment is valued at around 1 crore. Four persons were arrested in connection with the incident.
The arrested include Kona Nagraju and V Rambabu from Andhra Pradesh.
Along with these two persons the drivers of the two trucks Mansur Alam of Malda and Tariful Haque of Murshidabad were also arrested. The four arrested persons were produced at the ACJM Court in Siliguri on Monday. Their bail prayer was rejected and they have been sent to 14 days of judicial custody.
Incidentally, betel nuts are smuggled from across
the border of North Eastern states.