Apprehensive of the risks involved and also fearing the alleged nexus of politicians in this lucrative business, officials are often not willing to act strongly against the network, which operates in the death of the night. There are also allegations that some of the consignments that the officials seize are sold illegally. 

According to sources, areas like Perur near Anthanallur, Ayyalamman bathing ghat near Kambarasampettai, Tiruvalarsolai, Uthamaseeli Cauvery Nagar near Chinthamani, Kondayampettai, Anbil, Melur, and Gunaseelam near Vathalai in Tiruchy district; Vennaru, Vettaru and Vadavarur rivers, and Tiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district; Dhanapiratti, Sellandipuram, Viswanatakudi, Thottakurichi and Mayanur in Karur district are the spots where illegal mining has become rampant during late night hours. 

After lorries transporting sand began getting seized, the miners have modified their modus operandi, and have begun taking it packed inside in two or three bags on two-wheelers. In some cases, the miners even engage individuals to carry a single bag of sand. These couriers are paid for each bag. This sand is collected in a secret place – which keeps changing from time to time – and load them on to bigger vehicles and sent off immediately. 

A load sand, measuring four units, is sold for Rs 50,000 within the district, which would go up to Rs 1 lakh in other districts based on the proximity. 

Meanwhile, Srirangam Tahsildhar Shanmugam on Saturday seized three lorries that were transporting river sand. Based on complaints, the officials planned a trap and waited at Navalur Kuttapattu at around 2 am. The lorry drivers managed to evaded them initially, but the team of officials chased and caught them at Manikandam. “The drivers escaped in the cover of darkness,” said Shanmugam. 

Social activist Kannan alias N Ramakrishnan said such organised looting are prevalent along all the rivers in the state. “This menace would come to an end only when they deploy dedicated officials to tighten the noose,” he said.