A team led by Arakkonam Taluk Supply Officer (TSO) of the Department of Civil Supplies seized one tonne of rice meant for supply under the Public Distribution System (PDS) from a van at Pudur village in Ranipet on Friday.

The police said that based on orders of Collector N. Priya, special teams comprising police personnel and Civil Supplies officials were formed to prevent smuggling of PDS rice in the district.

During a surprise check in Panapakkam, Nemili and surrounding villages, the team stopped a van in the village where they found several bags of PDS rice. The vehicle driver and an associate fled the spot. Seized PDS rice were sent to a godown maintained by the Department of Civil Supplies at Ranipet. 

The police analysed CCTV camera footage in the area and found a group of people with rice sacks loading them onto the vehicle. The police said such PDS rice is collected from various towns like Arcot, Arakkonam, Sholinghur, Walajah and surrounding villages from the public. The seized rice was meant for Andhra Pradesh to sell the consignment to wholesale dealers. A case was registered by Nemili police. Special teams were formed to nab escaped suspects. A probe is under way.