PARASSALA: The investigation into the mysterious disappearance of a spirit lorry with the suspected aid of police officers of the Parassala police station is nearing its end. The investigation report of the Special Branch DySP would be submitted shortly.From the initial report of the investigating officers, it appears that the noose is tightening around three men in uniform, including an ASI and two constables, who are currently under a cloud of suspicion for aiding the safe passage of the national permit lorry carrying around 10,000 litres of spirit hidden beneath vegetable bags.The lorry, carrying vegetables, was abandoned in a brick kiln when a police patrolling party followed the vehicle. During the subsequent examination conducted by the local people and police, the spirit cans stacked beneath vegetable bags were recovered.The people dispersed after leaving behind three police officers to take care of the prize catch.The next morning, the people who turned up at the spot were startled to find that the vehicle had disappeared. They were even more surprised when they contacted the station. The three police officers had not informed the local police station about the disappearance of the vehicle.The investigation report on the allegation against the three men in uniform has almost been completed and the report would be submitted to the Rural SP in a day or so.A top official from the State Special Branch told this paper that details of the calls made between the police officers under scanner and the suspected spirit carriers will be scrutinized."But they are using 4-5 mobile phones simultaneously. This is hampering the investigation. We want to find concrete evidence against them. This is a case that had occurred at midnight. So, technical evidence alone would stand in the court,” he said.Journey from Chennai to KeralaIt is still unclear whether the authorities would look into the inter-state connection in the case. Intelligence agencies have zeroed in on 14 check-posts which fall the under the Neyyattinkara Excise Circle through which the illegal spirit flow can take place.When compared to Palakkad, these check-posts are well-guarded. But in order to hoodwink the Excise and police teams, now spirit is being shifted from lorries to small vehicles across the border and then transported into the state. This is done after sending a patrolling team on two-wheelers ahead of the spirit transporting vehicle to ‘clear’ the check-posts.According to a top Intelligence sleuth, "the entire network operates from Tamil Nadu, that too at the behest of some police officers there. The business is mostly based around Guindy, near Chennai. A lorry and its key need to be provided to the agent along with the payment. He will deliver a fully-loaded vehicle at the same place. There are even organised agents who are willing to supply lorries on rent. But it would cost 10 times more than the normal rate.’’"When a delivery vehicle is nabbed in the state, they would rush to the police officers who are in collusion with them and will register cases on the vehicle in Tamil Nadu. This will make the case registered here weak,” he added.The officers at the helm of the investigation are still unsure where the lorry was heading to. However, they feel that its cargo most probably would have been sold off as Indian-made foreign liquor. In that case, the needle of suspicion points towards some bar-attached hotels in the city who might have already cashed in on the booty.
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