VASCO/MARGAO: Verna police on Monday seized four vehicles including three tankers and a Bolero jeep, belonging to Uday Naik, the prime accused in the petroleum pilferage racket, which was busted along four-lane highway at Zuarinagar, last week.

The case is being investigated by deputy superintendent of police, Vasco, Mr Mahesh Gaonkar, who along with Verna police personnel on Monday raided the house of the prime accused at Chicalim and seized the vehicles.

Verna PI, Mr Jivba Dalvi under the supervision of DySP, Mr Gaonkar on Monday also raided the building which was rented out by the accused in order to store the petroleum products, which is located very close to the site from where the petroleum pipeline was tapped. Verna police have also attached a SIM card, some clothes and four locks in this connection.

Meanwhile, sources in the police department have disclosed that the deputy inspector general of police has handed over the petroleum pilferage case to the crime branch (CID), Dona Paula and further investigation into the same will be carried out by the crime branch investigating team.

Meanwhile, the accused Naik has made application for bail before additional district and sessions judge, South Goa. The matter has been posted for arguments on August 31. The court has issued notices to police, public prosecutor and defence advocate.

Naik from Chicalim and two others from Mangalore were arrested for pilferage of petroleum by tapping an underground pipeline.