Walayar: A large number of explosive material was seized by the personnel of the anti-narcotic task force at the Walayar check post on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. They were seized from a mini lorry during an inspection held in view of the forthcoming local bodies poll in Kerala.

As many as 7,000 gelatin sticks and 7,500 detonators concealed in 35 boxes were recovered during the joint inspection carried out by the District Anti-Narcotic Special Task Force (DANSAF) and Walayar police along the interstate border.

Ravi, 38, a resident of Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu and Prabhu,30, of Thiruvanamala were arrested during the operation on Sunday.

The duo was smuggling the explosive materials used in quarries from Salem to Angamaly. The seized explosive material is worth Rs 5 lakh, the police said.

A major quantity of tomato being taken in the mini lorry was in a completely rotten state. The officials, who became suspicious, examined the vehicle after removing the tomato boxes and found the explosive material.

A bomb squad arrived at the spot and conducted a check before shifting the explosive materials safely.