Tirunelveli SP inspects coastal check posts amid smuggling shift

Superintendent of Police Vishwesh Balasubramaniam Shastri inspected check posts along the Tirunelveli coastline on Thursday night as part of 'Operation Sagar Kavach', an annual coastal security exercise. The inspection comes as smugglers, facing intensified patrolling between Vembar and Periyathazhai on the Thoothukudi coast, are shifting their operations to the Tirunelveli coastline by luring local fishermen. Smuggled items include beedi leaves, medicines, pesticides, turmeric, and essential commodities destined for Sri Lanka. The SP visited check posts at Koodankulam, Kottapuli, and Kavalkinar, reviewed vehicle inspection records and suspicious movement logs, and interacted with personnel. He instructed police to conduct random vehicle checks and intensify night-time patrolling to counter the emerging smuggling threat.