Tamil Nadu 'Q branch' police confiscated 75 bags containing 2,000 kilograms of turmeric which were being smuggled to Sri Lanka by boat from Danushkodi.
In the past few weeks, fishermen from the island have not been allowed to fish in the sea as curfew has been in place on weekends due to the increase in the spread of COVID-19 virus. As a result, the smugglers could not reach the Sri Lankan territory in the guise of fishermen.
Smuggling of turmeric, a vital ingredient in Tamil and Sinhalese cooking, has been on the rise since the Sri Lankan government announced an import ban as part of a series of measures related to the coronavirus pandemic. The ban has caused a severe shortage in turmeric availability on the island, causing prices to soar. See more here.
Last month, Ramanathapuram Q branch police seized 93 yellow bags weighing 2,325 kg which were to be smuggled to Sri Lanka and arrested two people.
Q-unit police said they were actively searching for the kidnappers involved in the incident and they would be arrested soon. The Sri Lankan value of the seized turmeric was 65 lakhs, according to the police.
