Podanur police on Wednesday arrested a youth who was found in possession of 55 tablets of a programmed drug used to treat insomnia and sleep disorders.

Mr. Tamilarasan (23) from Rajarajeswari Nagar in Ganesapuram near Podanur was arrested with drugs. According to police, the youngster was unable to produce a prescription from a licensed doctor who is required to purchase the drug. The police suspect the accused of selling the tablet for other uses.

Tamilarasan was brought before a magistrate and taken into custody.

According to the police, police in Podanur and Selvapuram had previously arrested Tamilarasan for trafficking ganja. The police had also invoked the provisions of the Goonda law against him and he was imprisoned in the central prison of Coimbatore. He continued dealing drugs after his release from prison, police added.

3.6 tons of ration rice seized

The Civil Supplies CID (CS CID), Coimbatore unit, seized 3.6 tonnes of rice intended for distribution through the public distribution system, in two separate raids carried out on Wednesday.

Officials said the unit searched a house near Isaac Street in Rathinapuri on Wednesday where 2,750kg of ration rice was found stored in 55 bags.

They said that Udhayakumar from Rathinapuri hoarded the rice. Udhayakumar, who was at large, had bought ration rice from local residents at a very low price and sold it at a higher price to guest workers and others who wanted it. The CS CID lodged a complaint against him.

In the second incident, CS CID raided KK Nagar, Edayarpalayam and found 900 kg of ration rice kept in 18 bags in a house. Police said Shanmugam of TVS Nagar, which stored the rice, was at large. They said that Shanmugam was also selling ration rice at a higher price after buying it from people at very low prices. A complaint has been filed against him.