In a major crackdown on illegal gutkha storage and distribution, Thane Police have arrested eight people and seized goods, including 158 cartons of banned gutkha, vehicles, mobile phones, and cash, collectively valuing over Rs 1.14 crore.
The operation, conducted on October 3 and 4 in Velegav/Bhatole village near Mankoli, Bhiwandi, led to the seizure of 73.54 lakh worth of gutkha of various brands. Additionally, six mobile sets valued at Rs 96,000, four vehicles including an Ashok Leyland truck and three Tata Ace vehicles, and Rs 9,450 in cash were recovered during the crackdown.
The arrested individuals include drivers, supervisors, and helpers involved in transporting and storing the contraband. The accused have been identified as Mohammad Harish Islam Ali Shah (21), Sohel Idris Sheikh (22), Rabi Ahmed Ijaz Ahmed Sheikh (23), Sahil Ramnath Wakchaure (27), Dipesh Dilip Jadhav (28), Hazrat Ali Shahzad Ali Shah (31), Salman Qadar Sheikh (35), and Suryabhan Paltu Prasad (36).
According to the police, the action followed prior arrests in which the accused had revealed the source of the banned gutkha. During the operation, the police found the accused loading gutkha into the seized vehicles and raided two godowns where the contraband was stored.
The suspects have been presented in court and remanded in police custody until Friday. The investigation is ongoing under crime branch unit 6, Chembur.
