KOLLAM: Reports said one of the lorries that transported pan masala in Karunagapally belonged to a CPM leader. The owner of the lorry is A Shanawaz, Alappuzha Municipal Welfare Standing Committee Chairman.

Shanawaz responded that he had rented out his lorry to a native of Kattapana. The investigating team is examining whether what he said is right or not. The rent agreement was written on last Friday. The lorry was seized Sunday early morning. Pan masala worth Rs 1.25 crore was smuggled in two lorries.