Coimbatore: The food safety department on Tuesday seized tobacco productsworth Rs 8 lakh from a private bus that arrived in the city from Bengaluru and detained a person in connection with it.
The officials also seized the bus, as this was the second such offence by the private bus service provider in the past four months.
The seizure was made based on a tip that the tobacco products were being brought to the city in No 1 Travels. "I received the information from a source around 3.30am. We tracked the bus and followed it. Since there were about 10 passengers in the bus, we did not stop it on the way," said the food safety officer, Vijaya Lalithambiga B.
The bus was stopped near its shed closer to the Ramakrishna electric crematorium. "The bus had tobacco products worth Rs 8 lakh. When we questioned the driver, he said the box contained vegetables," she said.
The private bus service provider, however, said they did not have details about the person who booked the parcel or delivery details.
The food safety department has detained a person in connection with the case. "We are trying to trace the person who was to collect the consignment. We have collected samples and sent them to the lab for tests. The report will be submitted before the court, which will then take a call on disposing it of," Vijaya said.
Following the incident, the food safety department has instructed parcel service providers and omni bus operators to collect identity proof from customers, who drop parcels at their offices. "This will create a fear among the people trying to send prohibited products to the state. Also, this will prevent parcel service providers to indulge in such crimes," Vijaya said
The official said action would be taken on the private bus operator, who was caught second time carrying tobacco products.
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