CUDDALORE: What seems like a dramatic chase scene from a typical Kollywood potboiler, a bootlegger was arrested from the Gadilam river, early on Friday. Yes you read it read... he was arrested from the river after his car got stuck in the muddy waters.
According to sources, the officials of the Prohibition Enforcement Wing (PEW) that included inspector Meenambigai and sub-inspector Gopalakrishnan were involved in vehicle check at the Alpet check post, on the Puducherry border.
At around 5.30 am they waived a car to stop. The car slowed down, but in a flash the driver stepped on the gas and fled the scene. The wide-eyed officials began the chase in their bikes. They altered the others, who joined them in three more bikes.
The car driver sped through the Collectorate and then took the beach road with the officials tailing. The car then went to Devanampattinam and around the SP’s bungalow and proceeded towards Vanniyarpalayam. When one cop, Stalin, tried to overtake the car he slipped and fell. Stalin injured his hand.
The others continued the chase. The street ended up at Gadilam river and still unable to shake off the cops, the desperate man drove straight into the river. His run finally ended as the car got stuck in the muddy river. Though it was still early, some people saw the dramatic chase and joined the cops on the riverbed. When they, (cops and locals) approached the car the man refused to come out. The police had to break open the glass to nab him. When they opened the door, they got to know why he wanted to give them a slip.
Inside the vehicle there were 15 liquor containers, each with a capacity of 35 litres. The police then arrested the man, who was identified as A Shanmugam (47) of Poovam in Karaikkal and seized the smuggled liquor. After the dust settled, the officials recovered the car with the help of an earthmover. PEW ADSP R Vedharathinam lauded the men for nabbing the bootlegger.
35 litres seized
Inside the vehicle there were 15 liquor containers, each with a capacity of 35 litres. The police then arrested the man, who was identified as A Shanmugam (47) of Poovam in Karaikkal