Madurai District Police seized 521 kilograms of banned tobacco products and arrested two persons from Rajasthan, who were in possession of the contraband, in an early morning operation near Kottampatti on Thursday.The police said following specific intelligence, they were on the look-out for a vehicle in which banned commodities were being transported.A special team of police intensified the surveillance and intercepted a car, in which the banned tobocco products were concealed. The occupants of the car identified themselves as Vikram Kumar, 28, and Keesan, 25, and told the police that they were going to Madurai from Bengaluru.Through a discreet probe, the police found that the vehicle registration number was fake. The police seized the contraband and the vehicle, and detained the duo. The police also seized three mobile phones from them. Further investigation is on.Based on their confession, the police said the banned items were being brought from Bengaluru. Whether they were to be delivered to any person in Madurai or in any other place in southern districts was yet to be probed, they added.A press note said the police would not spare smuggling of banned tobacco products. Bank accounts of the accused persons, their blood relatives and accomplices would be scanned and severe action would be initiated against them. Superintendent of Police B.K. Arvind said public could confidentially share information regarding sale of banned tobacco products with the police on 94981181206. Published - June 11, 2026 09:42 pm IST