In a significant crackdown on black marketing of agricultural resources, a joint operation by the Civil Supplies Criminal Investigation Department (CS-CID) and the Department of Agriculture led to the seizure of 185 tonnes of subsidised urea and the arrest of Ahamed Ali (48) of Bhavani.
The raid, based on a tip-off, was carried out on Saturday at a private warehouse in C. Mettupalayam, Chithode. Officials discovered that 93 tonnes of subsidised urea—meant to be sold to farmers at the government-fixed price of Rs266 per bag—was being repackaged and resold under another company’s label in other states for a shocking Rs1,900 per bag.
Authorities seized 92 more tonnes from other lorries, bringing the total to 185 tonnes, and impounded five lorries suspected to be used for the smuggling operation. Ahamed Ali was taken into custody during the raid. Samples of the seized fertilizer were collected and sent for laboratory testing to verify composition and tampering.
The case underscores growing concerns over the illegal diversion of essential agricultural inputs and its impact on small farmers who depend on government subsidies.
