Officers seize a 'plastic drum' buried underground - shocking details

The incident in which a drum buried in the sand near Thoothukudi was used to store tobacco products has caused a stir.

Karthik Raj hails from the Vaippar area next to Vilathikulam in Thoothukudi district. He is said to have a garden in the Kesavan Nagar area along the river bank. Food safety officials had received confidential information that banned tobacco products were stored in the garden.

Following this, officers led by the District Food Safety Officer Mariappan rushed to the scene and carried out a search. It was then discovered that the plastic drum was buried about 5 feet deep in the river sand. When it was opened, it was revealed that 400 kg of tobacco products worth 6 lakh rupees had been stored. The food safety authorities confiscated all the tobacco products and sealed the garden.

District Food Safety Officer Mariappan said: ‘The State Food Safety WhatsApp number received confidential information. Accordingly, the investigation was carried out on the pig farm and orchards of Karthik Raj. In it, 400 kg of tobacco and nicotine contaminated food items banned by the Tamil Nadu government were seized. Samples will be taken and sent for analysis and action will be taken to prosecute under the Food Safety Standards Act and the Police Criminal Code.

According to the police, there are 6 cases pending in Vilathikulam against Karthik Raj, the alleged owner of the estate, for selling liquor illegally. Police said a case would be registered and action would be taken based on a complaint lodged by the food safety officer.

The police are using various tactics to sell tobacco products as they can be found in houses and shops. According to the police, it contains some secret words like small goat, big goat, small and big (pig) and is being sold by two-wheelers.