A couple was arrested by Vellore North police near Katpadi after seizing around 40 kg of gutka in a house on Saturday. The police said the arrested persons were identified as K. Nagaraj, 48, and his wife N. Mahalaksmi, 45. The couple was living in town for many years and running a petty shop near the new bus terminus off Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48). 

Initial inquiry revealed that based on orders of N.U. Sivaraman, SP (Vellore), a special team conducted a surprise check at petty shops around the bus terminus. When the team approached the shop run by Mahalakshmi, she tried to escape from the spot.

The police said the team managed to nab her, searched the shop and found around five kilograms of gutka meant for illegal sale. Based on her confession, the team checked the couple’s house from where around 40 kg of gutka was seized.

The police said that the couple brought banned items from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, for retail sale. The couple was lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. A case was registered and further probe is under way.