Navi Mumbai: In a major crackdown on the illegal gutkha trade, Rabale Police seized a consignment of banned gutkha and pan masala worth Rs 14.4 lakh being transported in a tempo, and arrested two individuals on Thursday evening. The total value of the seizure, including the tempo used for transportation, is estimated at Rs 20.4 lakh.
Two Held With 25 Bags of Banned Gutkha in Tempo Near Gothivali Village
Acting on a tip-off, the Rabale police team laid a trap near the entrance arch of Gothivali village. Around 6 pm, they intercepted a tempo suspected of transporting contraband. "Upon inspection, we found 25 gunny bags packed with banned tobacco products inside the vehicle," said a police officer.
Rabale Police Identify Two More Accused in Illegal Tobacco Supply Chain
The tempo driver, Prabhnath Vedvyas Pandey (44), and his associate Asif Mohammad Aftab Sheikh (25) were immediately taken into custody. During interrogation, the duo revealed that they had received the gutkha consignment from two men named Shekhar Anna and Anil Shinde, and were tasked with delivering it to Ghodbunder in Thane.
Seized Tempo Valued at ₹6 Lakh; Gutkha Consignment Was Headed to Thane
Following the arrest, police registered a case against all four individuals involved. The contraband gutkha and pan masala, worth Rs 14.4 lakh, along with the tempo valued at Rs 6 lakh, have been confiscated.
Senior Inspector Balkrishna Sawant Confirms Further Probe Into Wider Network
Senior Police Inspector Balkrishna Sawant of Rabale Police Station said, "Further investigations are underway to track down the suppliers and wider network involved in the banned gutkha trade."
