: The Civil Supplies CID wing sleuths have nabbed a wanted criminal, for allegedly smuggling PDS rice to neighbouring Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Bethraj, a native of Chittur in Andhra Pradesh, was alleged to be involved in the smuggling public distribution system rice to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for the last five years. More than 10 cases have been filed on him by the CBCID Civil Supplies wing, a police release said.
Recently, the special team formed to nab him for smuggling 1066.80 quintal of rice through nine lorries, came to know that he has been arrested by Chittoor Police and currently lodged at the Madanapalli Central Prison in another case, it said.
On October 18, the special team detained him and as per the recommendation of the department and order by Vellore District Collector R Nanthagopal, he was shifted to Vellore Central Jail and undergoing six months imprisonment, it said.
In 2014, the CBCID Civil Supplies wing officials have seized 12,773 quintal PDS rice smuggled by using 1,299 vehicles. About 5,968 people were arrested so far including wanted criminals, the release said.
