VILLUPURAM: Two sand-smugglers, who allegedly issued death threats to policemen and claimed to have political clout, were arrested by the police on Thursday. A lorry and an earthmover were confiscated from the duo.
According to sources, police got a tip-off that some persons were mining sand from the Sankaraprani riverbed near Kandamangalam without a permit. So, a police team, led by Kandamangalam police inspector Harikrishnan, went to the spot and caught the duo red-handed.
Claiming strong political connections, the two abused the policemen and threatened them. Undeterred,the policemen arrested the duo and seized their vehicles.
Inquiry revealed the arrested two as Vishnukumar (28), the lorry driver from Kendiyankuppam, and the earthmover operator Bhoomilingam (25) of Brhamadesam near Tindivanam.
A case was registered and further inquiry is on.
1 Held in Aavin Scam
The CB-CID sleuths on Friday arrested one more accused in connection with the Aavin adulteration case, thereby taking the total number of accused to 24.
Sources said the arrested was Bhoothapandi of Tirunelveli. He was brought to Villupuram and presented before court, which remanded him in Cuddalore jail. Vellimedupettai police had on August 19 arrested an eight-member gang near Tindivanam for adulterating the Aavin milk.
Later, the case was transferred to the CB-CID and on September 19, police arrested Vaithiyanathan, the alleged mastermind.