Law & Order: Q Branch foils multiple smuggling attempts to Sri Lanka along Thoothukudi coast but awareness and stronger penalties remain key to curb it

A recent seizure made by the Q Branch police at Threspuram coast in Thoothukudi.

| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGMENT

Between June 2025 and June 2026, the Thoothukudi Q branch police seized contraband reportedly intended to be smuggled to Sri Lanka and secured individuals involved in the offences in around 25 incidents across the district.These seizures include tablet strips, beedi leaves, consumer goods such as bathing soaps and shampoo, around 100 kg of ganja and a three kg of aimpon (panchaloha) vishnu idol. These items were seized during the several instances of patrol carried out along the 163 km coastline of the district.Acting on intelligence inputs, the Q branch team led by Inspector Vijaya Anitha had carried out several operations, successfully intercepting the contraband and securing those involved.Following the seizures, cases relating to beedi leaves and other consumer goods were handed over to the Customs Department for further action, while the idol was transferred to the Idol Wing and ganja was handed over to the Narcotics Intelligence Bureau (NIB).Despite regular enforcement measures taken by the police department to curb smuggling attempts to Sri Lanka, many vulnerable population in the district, particularly residents of coastal villages continue to fall prey to middlemen, who offer substantial amounts of money for a short duration of work.An official from the Thoothukudi Q Branch said that greater awareness among the coastal residents is essential to prevent such illegal transportation activities to Sri Lanka.The official added, “A middleman would typically hire a driver and vehicle to transport the goods to seashore, where they are unloaded and later loaded onto a waiting boat. For this brief task, people are paid large sums of money. Without fully understanding the consequences, many end up falling into the trap.”Another source from the department highlighted the need for stricter penalties under the Customs Act. The source pointed out that once such cases are handed over to the Customs Department, they are often registered only as violations of the Customs Act, allowing the accused to secure release after paying a penalty.They also stressed the need for increased public awareness and stronger legal provisions under the Customs Act to effectively prevent the smuggling of goods to Sri Lanka. Published - June 25, 2026 07:12 pm IST