Maharashtra: Banned gutka, tobacco products valued at Rs 12.45 lakh seized in Thane; one held

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized banned gutka and tobacco products valued at Rs 12.45 lakh in Thane district of Maharashtra and arrested one person in this connection, an official said on Wednesday, reported the PTI.

According to the PTI, a team of the FDA along with police raised a premises near a hotel in Bhiwandi area on Tuesday and seized the banned products, the official from Shanti Nagar police station said.

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A 34-year-old driver of a tempo parked near the premises was apprehended in this connection.

The police have registered a case under Indian Penal Code sections 328 (causing hurt by means of poison), 273 (sale of noxious food or drink), 272 (adulteration of food or drink intended for sale), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant), and 179 (refusing to answer public servant authorized to question) and the FDA regulations, the official said, as per the PTI.

Efforts were on to nab four other persons for the involvement in the offence, he said.

The sale and consumption of gutka, scented and flavoured tobacco has been banned in Maharashtra since 2012.

In an another incident, the Navi Mumbai police has arrested a man after seizing 22 gm of MDMA drug valued at Rs 5.50 lakh from his possession, an official said on Wednesday, reported the PTI.

Acting on a tip-off, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Navi Mumbai Police laid a trap near a hotel gate in Koparkhairne area of Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai township on Monday evening.

The 23-year-old accused, a resident of Kausa in Mumbra area of Thane district, was apprehended and the MDMA (Ecstasy) drug was seized from him, the official said.

A case was registered against the accused under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, he said.

The police were tying to ascertain the source of the seized drug and to whom it was to be delivered.

Meanwhile, the Navi Mumbai Police in Maharashtra nabbed a suspected Nigerian drug peddler from Kharghar for possessing 52 gm of MD drug with an estimated street value of Rs 5.20 lakh, an official said on Wednesday.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) visited the Petgaon area and nabbed Gideon Eze when he arrived there to deliver the illicit drug late Tuesday night, he said.

A case has been registered under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

(with PTI inputs)