In a major crackdown on the illegal gutkha trade, the Palghar Police seized gutkha worth Rs 38.92 lakh and arrested three people on Monday.
The operation was led by Manor Police Station Inspector Dnyaneshwar Chavan under the guidance of Palghar Superintendent of Police (SP) Anil Paraskar and Additional SP Rajendra Mane. Acting on credible intelligence, the team intercepted a vehicle near the Vasai-Virar Bridge on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway around 5 pm. The driver and two accomplices attempted to flee but were apprehended.
The seized consignment included gutkha packets valued at Rs 38.92 lakh. A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and various provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with regulations under the Food Safety & Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulation, 2011.
The police said the operation has successfully disrupted an illegal gutkha distribution network in the region, and further investigation is ongoing.
