Customs to probe ₹17 lakh beedi leaf consignment intercepted by Q Branch

Following a successful interception by the Q Branch of Tamil Nadu Police, customs officials are set to investigate a consignment of beedi leaves valued at about 1.7 million rupees that was poised for illegal export to Sri Lanka. The haul, discovered in a forested zone close to Inigo Nagar beach, consisted of 18 tightly packed bundles, each weighing near 30 kg, ready for maritime shipment. Although the main trafficker fled as police arrived, a cargo truck used to move the leaves to the coastal point was seized. All seized items, along with the vehicle, have been forwarded to the customs department for forensic analysis, valuation, and subsequent legal proceedings. The investigation also aims to map the larger smuggling network operating along the Tamil Nadu–Sri Lanka corridor.