Mumbai: The Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch raided the Khetwadi branch of Mumbai’s famous ‘Muchhad Paanwala’ shop and three other shops on Wednesday, seizing banned e-cigarettes. In all, e-cigarettes worth Rs 15 lakh were seized by raiding the three other shops. The ANC is taking further action by registering an FIR in this matter.
According to an ANC officer, Mumbai Police have launched a campaign against those selling e-cigarettes near schools, colleges and hospitals, as this is banned by the Government of India. As part of this drive, the ANC raided four different paan shops in Mumbai and seized a total of 13.65 lakh e-cigarettes.
One of the prominent names among the four establishments raided is that of Muchhad Paanwala, known to be patronised by filmstars and well-known industrialists. The shop also has a website, for those wishing to order ‘paan’ online.
The ANC arrested Shivkumar Tiwari, the owner of Muchhad Paanwala, and handed him over to the local police station. VP Road Police Station is further probing the matter. Tiwari had to post Rs 7,500 as bail.
In other ANC raids across the city, the Bandra unit raided Golden Beedi shop in Bandra west, while the Ghatkopar unit raided Firoz Paan Beedi, the Gaondevi, Worli, unit raided Santosh Beedi shop at Parel and the Azad Maidan unit raided Muchhad Panwala of Khetwadi. Further, it was being ascertained how these shopowners had obtained the e-cigarettes, an ANC officer informed.
Mucchad Paanwala's co-owner arrested in drugs case
Reportedly, the Narcotics Control Bureau had in 2021 arrested the co-owner of Mucchad Paanwala shop in connection with drugs case.
(With agency inputs)
