World · India Bureau
Police Chase Gutkha Smugglers 40km in Tamil Nadu; Officer Scales Car Roof
Tamil Nadu police pursued a fleeing vehicle across 40 kilometres in Coimbatore to apprehend smugglers transporting contraband gutka and tobacco products. The high-speed operation resulted in the seizure of 300 kilograms of gutka and prohibited tobacco items.
LSN India ·

In a dramatic operation that has drawn widespread attention on social media, Coimbatore police conducted an extended chase spanning 40 kilometres to intercept a vehicle involved in illicit gutka and tobacco smuggling. The pursuit, which tested the determination of law enforcement officers, concluded successfully with the arrest of the suspects and recovery of significant contraband quantities.
During the operation, Head Constable Velamurugan demonstrated exceptional courage by climbing onto the roof of the moving vehicle as part of the apprehension effort. The daring manoeuvre highlighted the risks undertaken by officers to prevent the distribution of prohibited tobacco products in the region.
Authorities recovered 300 kilograms of gutka and banned tobacco items from the suspects' possession. The seizure represents a significant blow to the smuggling network operating in the area. Gutka, a preparation containing areca nut and tobacco, is restricted in many Indian states due to health concerns.
The incident has generated considerable buzz on social media platforms, with videos and accounts of the high-speed chase circulating widely online. The operation underscores police efforts to curb the illegal trade in tobacco products across Tamil Nadu, where such smuggling remains a persistent enforcement challenge.