Maharashtra FDA Seizes Rs 1.13 Crore of Banned Gutkha After Six-Hour Truck Chase

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched an operation at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday after receiving confidential information about a truck transporting prohibited gutkha from Madhya Pradesh. The vehicle initially travelled the Samruddhi Expressway toward Bhiwandi in Thane but altered its route toward Pune via Sangamner. FDA teams were deployed along likely alternate routes, with the Thane Division sent toward Murbad and the Pune Division positioned at Rajgurunagar.

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Food Safety Officer Laxmikant Savale attempted to block the truck at the Rajgurunagar toll plaza, but the driver continued. Savale pursued the vehicle with local police assistance, intercepting it at Chakan-Talegaon Chowk after a chase lasting roughly six hours. The truck was taken into custody around 8 p.m. Inspection revealed multiple brands of pan masala and flavored tobacco (gutkha) prohibited in Maharashtra. The seized consignment was valued at Rs 1,13,54,600 (approximately Rs 1.13 crore).

CNN-News18Maharashtra FDA seizes Rs 1.13 crore gutkha after six hour chase, four people arrested Maharashtra FDA seizes Rs 1.13 crore gutkha after 6-hour chase, 4 arrested Four Arrested After FDA Seizes INR1.13 Crore Gutkha Consignment Maharashtra TET paper leak: 2 key accused arrested; 168 buyers on radar

Maharashtra law bans the manufacture, sale, and distribution of gutkha and similar flavored tobacco products due to their health risks. The FDA’s mandate includes enforcing this prohibition and preventing illegal trade that threatens public health.

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Following the seizure, the FDA filed a complaint at Chakan police station in Pimpri-Chinchwad under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at about 10 p.m. on Saturday. The agency also requested that police examine the accused individuals’ prior criminal records, the supply chain, and financial transactions. If investigations substantiate an organized and continuous illegal trade, the FDA indicated that the case could be referred for stringent action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

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Four individuals were arrested in connection with the consignment:

Four Arrested After FDA Seizes INR1.13 Crore Gutkha Consignment

• Nafis Mehboob Khan, 40, driver, resident of Haryana.

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• Nilesh Rathi, owner/supplier, resident of Khamgaon, Buldhana district.

Maharashtra FDA seizes Rs 1.13 crore gutkha after 6-hour chase, 4 arrested

• Arun Patil, owner/supplier, resident of Jalgaon.

Maharashtra FDA seizes Rs 1.13 crore gutkha after 6-hour chase, 4 arrested

• Sanjay Mata, transporter, resident of Indore.

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The FDA described the incident as more than a simple food-safety violation, characterising it as an organised illegal trade that poses a risk to public health.

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• Seized product: Gutkha and pan masala (multiple brands)

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• Total value: Rs 1,13,54,600 (? Rs 1.13 crore)

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• Duration of chase: Approximately six hours

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• Arrests: Four individuals (driver, two owner/suppliers, one transporter)

Four Arrested After FDA Seizes INR1.13 Crore Gutkha Consignment

The FDA’s ongoing investigation aims to trace the origin of the gutkha consignment, identify potential buyers, map the broader supply network, and assess any financial links that could indicate a larger organised operation.

Four Arrested After FDA Seizes INR1.13 Crore Gutkha Consignment