Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Two persons were arrested for smuggling 251 quintals of rice meant for Public Distribution System (PDS) in a lorry from Rebbena to Maharashtra at Wankidi mandal centre on Friday evening. The value of the seized rice was assessed to be Rs 6 lakh.
Wankidi Sub-Inspector Deekonda Ramesh said that the accused were Gouse, driver and owner of the vehicle and Kiran of Rebbena. Policemen found the lorry at an inter-state check post, following a tip-off.
When questioned, the driver disclosed that he was transporting rice to Maharashtra as per instructions of Kiran. Accordingly, a case was booked against Gouse and Kiran. The rice was handed over to the authorities of the Civil Supplies department for taking further action against the offenders.
It is learned certain persons were procuring the rice from the beneficiaries of the food security scheme. They are reportedly buying the rice for Rs 10 per kilogram and selling the same to traders of Maharashtra at Rs 20 a kilogram. They are transporting the rice to the neighboring state using trucks by hoodwinking cops and officials concerned.
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