Authorities have seized a large stock of subsidised fertiliser bags allegedly hoarded at two industrial units operating amid coconut groves near Thammanamparai and Rottikoundanur, close to Madukkarai in Coimbatore district. Following farmers’ tip-off, agriculture officials, police and the Civil Supplies CID inspected the premises and sealed both units.
Officials said 244 bags were found in one unit and 2,105 in the other, while two lorries held 495 and 37 bags respectively. In total, 2,881 bags—about 130 tonnes—were seized, valued at around Rs 42 lakh, along with 234 empty bags. The stock was reportedly kept without any supporting documents.
Investigators said the units had boilers and that the fertiliser was allegedly dissolved and converted into a liquid to make adhesive used for plywood, before being transported in tanker lorries to Kerala. Samples have been sent to the Salem Fertiliser Control Laboratory for testing, and security has been posted at the sealed sites.
A case has been registered against nine people, including factory operators and a land owner, and four lorries and a motorcycle have been seized. While two drivers have been arrested, farmers have questioned the lack of action so far against others named in the case and urged both the Centre and the State to conduct an impartial inquiry, including into alleged links with agriculture officials.
District officials have also deployed teams to inspect fertiliser retail outlets across 12 blocks and verify stock positions. The seized bags were found not to be allocated to Coimbatore district, and the arrested drivers reportedly told investigators the consignments were brought by lorry from Pattukkottai and Sathyamangalam.
