Smuggling of 2.5T explosives, two arrested

Coimbatore: Salem City Police on Wednesday arrested two people for smuggling 2.5 tonnes of explosives from Dharmapuri to Coimbatore recently.

In the early hours of November 30, based on specific input from the State Intelligence Bureau regarding a truck carrying suspicious material going from Dharmapuri towards Coimbatore, Salem police intensified vehicle checking at Karuppur toll gate.

The police acted quickly and stopped a lorry loaded with hay and conducted an investigation. They discovered about 100 wooden boxes of explosives including gelatin sticks, electric detonators and gunpowder

Hidden under the paddy straw were 100 wooden boxes of explosives including gelatin sticks, electric detonators and gunpowder.

Soon, the explosive-laden vehicle was taken to the police firing ground at the foothills of Nagaramalai Adivaram. However, the detained 38-year-old truck driver Ilayaraja has declared himself innocent.

During interrogation Ilayaraja told that he was hired to take the goods to Coimbatore. But he claimed to be unaware of the content as well as the exact destination, as he was asked to call when he reached Coimbatore. The police arrested him and special teams were formed to solve the case.

After further questioning, police on Wednesday arrested 33-year-old Karthik and 27-year-old Dinesh, both residents of Harur in Dharmapuri district. Search is on for his associate Murugesan of Harur, who is now absconding.

Police said investigation is underway to find out from where the explosives were brought and what was its purpose.