Kerala cop arrested over theft of seized tobacco products from police station

A police officer has been taken into custody following the theft of seven bags of seized tobacco products from the Sulthan Bathery Police Station in Wayanad district, Kerala. The banned tobacco items, which had been confiscated during enforcement operations, disappeared from the station premises under circumstances that led investigators to suspect an inside involvement.

The case came to light when authorities discovered the discrepancy during a routine audit of seized materials held at the police station. The missing contraband, valued at a significant amount, raised immediate concerns about security protocols and the handling of confiscated goods.

Investigations into the matter led police to the arrest of the officer, who reportedly went absconding following the discovery of the theft. The arrest marks a significant development in the case and has drawn attention to procedural lapses in the management of seized contraband at police facilities.

The incident has prompted a review of security measures and storage protocols at police stations across the district to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Authorities are continuing their investigation to ascertain the full extent of the matter and determine the final disposal of the stolen products.