An overturned pickup van led to the seizure of 18 sacks of banned Hans tobacco products at Pannithadam on the Kechery–Akkikavu bypass here in the early hours of Friday (July 31, 2026). Two occupants of the vehicle fled the scene before police arrived.
The accident occurred when the Ponnani-registered pickup van, travelling from Kechery towards Akkikavu, reportedly went out of control at Pannithadam Centre and overturned into a private property.
As local residents rushed to the spot, the two men travelling in the vehicle escaped.
Acting on information from the public, the Erumapetty police reached the spot and inspected the vehicle. They found 18 sacks of banned Hans tobacco products concealed under a tarpaulin at the rear of the van in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
The sacks were seized and taken into police custody. A case has been registered, and the police have launched a search for the absconding suspects.
Published – July 31, 2026 07:50 pm IST
