The Q Branch police seized 103 bundles of beedi leaves, weighing around 3,000 kg, from Inigo Nagar and Athur in Thoothukudi on Thursday.

As per the orders of Superintendent of Police Albert John, surveillance was intensified in coastal areas to prevent smuggling from Thoothukudi.

During a search conducted as part of the initiative, the Q Branch police seized 43 bundles of beedi leaves from Inigo Nagar. They also seized a cargo van and a fibre boat used for their transportation and arrested one Robinson from the same area in this connection. A search is on for another accused.

In a similar operation conducted near Athur, the Q Branch police seized 60 bundles of beedi leaves that were clandestinely stored for smuggling through boats. Further investigations was on, the police said.