Police officer on the run for ‘theft’ of seized tobacco products seized in Ernakulam

A special police team has taken into custody a police officer who was on the run for 10 days after he allegedly stole seven bags of seized banned tobacco products from Sulthan Bathery police station in Kerala’s Wayanad district.

According to sources, a senior civilian police officer, Sabith, was arrested at Kalamassery in Ernakulam district on Sunday (September 20, 2026) morning. He was untraceable after the alleged theft was reported on September 10. Mr. Sabith was also suspended from duty.

Though the special team had earlier found his mobile phone in Ernakulam district, they could not trace him as he kept moving from one place to another. He was nabbed in Kalamassery following a tip-off on Sunday (September 20, 2026), sources said.

Seven sachets of banned tobacco products were seized from one person at Dhottappankulam near Sulthan Bathery on June 7. They were held at the police station as directed by the Magistrate’s Court. When officials inspected the room on September 10, they found the seized products missing.

Subsequently, a case of theft was registered. During the investigation, officials discovered that the lock to the evidence room was intact. This meant that a key was used to access the room. When the CCTV footage was examined, it was found that Mr Sabith allegedly entered the room and took away the products.

Published – 20 Sep 2026 14:58 IST