THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The secret investigation wing of the Food and Safety Department has found out that a minimum of 10,000 tons of ration rice is smuggled every month. By selling this rice at Rs 11 per kilogram to the black market, the scammers make at least Rs 10 crores. Black marketeers then polish this rice and sell it for Rs 32 per kilogram. They make Rs 20 crores.

A probe was done at over 200 go-downs across the state including the ones operated by Supplyco. The scam was done in the cover of elections.

An investigation is still underway for further details.

Ten sacks of rice are smuggled in a load of 206 sacks. This way 500 kilograms of rice gets smuggled from each load, thereby a total of 50,000 kilograms a month.

At Varkala Chathanpara go-down the secret investigation officer went out for checking on receiving credible info. However, the go-down authorities were informed on the inspection and they locked the go-down and left the place. This is just one example.