Police in Avadi cracked down on a sophisticated coal theft operation on Monday. They exposed a well-organized racket involving lorry drivers. These drivers were stealing high-quality coal during transit from Ennore port.
Drivers Face Legal Action
SIPCOT police registered a formal case against four lorry drivers. The accused individuals are Sudhakar, Ayyappan, Mydeen, and Manimaran. Authorities charged them with stealing coal and tampering with consignments. These consignments were destined for a power plant in Tiruvallur district.
Complaint Triggers Investigation
The case began after a complaint from the assistant general manager of OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd. Company officials noticed something was wrong. They detected a clear mismatch in the quality of coal supplied to their plant. This discovery raised immediate suspicions.
An internal check by the company followed. Officials examined coal transported from Ennore port between December 30 and January 4. They confirmed the coal had been tampered with while in transit. The evidence pointed to deliberate theft during the journey.
How the Racket Worked
Police investigations revealed the drivers' method. While on the road, the drivers diverted their lorries to a specific location. This spot was near the Chennai outer ring road. There, they offloaded approximately 190 tonnes of high-grade coal.
The drivers then needed to conceal their crime. To hide the theft and match the original quantity, they mixed materials into the remaining load. They added fly ash and low-grade coal powder to the lorries.
Massive Quality Drop
The impact of this substitution was severe. Coal dispatched from Ennore port had a high calorific value. It measured around 3,000 Kcal. However, the material that finally reached the power plant was vastly inferior.
Police stated the received coal had a heat value of barely 100 Kcal. This dramatic drop made the coal nearly useless for power generation. The theft significantly compromised the plant's operations.
Ongoing Police Efforts
SIPCOT police have registered the case and are pushing forward with their investigation. They are gathering more details about the racket's operations. Authorities aim to determine if more individuals were involved in the scheme.
This incident highlights vulnerabilities in the transport of valuable industrial materials. It shows how coordinated theft can occur even during monitored transit. The police action serves as a warning to others involved in similar illegal activities.
