The police team checked the vehicle and found 10 units of illegal river sand.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Three persons were arrested by Ponnai police near Katpadi in Vellore on Sunday for illegal transport of river sand from Andhra Pradesh to Chennai.
Police said the arrested persons were identified as S. Karmegam (26), V. Sarasanthan(40) and B. Purushothaman (26). They are residents of Gummidipoondi near Chennai.
Based on an alert, a special police team was patrolling Ponnai – Ranipet Main Road on the outskirts of Katpadi when the team tried to stop Karmegam, who was driving the lorry loaded with sand but they were unable to stop him as he drove the vehicle faster.
Police chased him and cornered the vehicle some distance away on the stretch. The team checked the vehicle and found 10 units of illegal river sand. Initial inquiry revealed that the gang illegally mined sand from a dry riverbed in Andhra Pradesh to sell it for private contractors near Chennai.
A case has been registered by Ponnai police. Arrested persons were lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. A probe is under way.
Published – October 05, 2025 11:21 pm IST
