Apart from its drive against ganja, gutka, banned tobacco products and other banned narcotic substances, Thoothukudi district police have also strengthened the measures to curb the illegal sales of lottery tickets across the district.In June alone, Thoothukudi district police had registered several cases, including two cases in Thoothukudi South Police station limits, one case each under the Thoothukudi Central, Tiruchendur and Sawyerpuram police station limits.Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police Abishek Gupta said that they were continuously taking legal actions against various illegal activities, including ganja, gutka and illegal sand mining and lottery tickets.He added that the Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) and Inspectors have intensified their surveillance and maintain close monitoring to prevent illegal activities across the district.According to sources from Thoothukudi police, the offenders are apprehended based on the specific intelligence inputs and tip-offs from the informants.In one such case under the Thoothukudi South Police station limits, the illegal sale was reported in Levingipuram, where the accused were arrested with slips containing number combinations, and around ₹10,000. Illegal lottery sales were also reported in Tiruchendur bus stand area, Sawyerpuram bazar, Palayamkottai road in Thoothukudi and action was taken against the offenders involved in the sale of lotteries.Explaining the modus operandi of these illegal lottery sellers, sources added that Thoothukudi, being a coastal district with significant commercial and transport activity, frequently witnesses people traveling to other States. Some drivers and other individuals reportedly procure lottery tickets from Kerala and engage in their sale within the district.The sources further noted that illegal lottery sellers often function through small networks or groups, targeting people known to them and gradually expand their customer base through known contacts. Such operations frequently prey on economically vulnerable individuals by luring them with the prospect of quick financial gains.Some of these operators are also engaged in online lottery sales, sources said.While the neighbouring state Kerala permits the sale of government authorised lottery tickets, Tamil Nadu government banned lotteries in 2003 during the tenure of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Despite the prohibition, illegal lottery networks continue to operate by exploiting loopholes and smuggling tickets into the State.The issue remains a challenge as such activities not only violate the law but also target people seeking quick financial gains, often resulting in monetary losses, while fostering unlawful practices. Published - July 17, 2026 07:51 pm IST