Mumbai, September 19 (Daily Kiran) : The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against banned tobacco products, seizing over ₹1.13 crore worth of gutkha. The operation commenced on September 18, based on confidential information received by the FDA. Officials tracked a suspicious truck for nearly six hours before successfully intercepting it with the help of local police at the Chakan-Talegaon junction.
The FDA had received a tip-off indicating that the truck, carrying prohibited gutkha, was traveling from Madhya Pradesh towards Bhiwandi, Thane, via the Samruddhi Expressway. However, during surveillance, it was discovered that the truck had deviated from its intended route and was heading towards Pune via Sangamner. In response, FDA teams were deployed to monitor potential routes.
The Thane division team was sent towards Murbad, while the Pune division set up at Rajgurunagar. At the Rajgurunagar toll plaza, food safety officer Sachin Santave attempted to stop the truck, but the driver evaded capture and sped past the toll.
The pursuit continued, and with local police assistance, the truck was finally stopped at the Chakan-Talegaon junction around 8 PM after a lengthy chase. A search revealed various brands of banned pan masala and flavored tobacco products onboard. The truck itself, used for transporting the goods, has been valued at ₹20 lakh.
The total estimated value of the seized products and the vehicle amounts to ₹1,13,54,600, roughly ₹1.13 crore. The FDA has confiscated all items and initiated further legal proceedings.
Following the seizure, FDA officials worked throughout the night to complete the necessary documentation and legal formalities. By 10 AM on September 19, a case was registered at the Chakan North police station. The truck driver, Nafis Mehboob Khan (40), along with Nilesh Rathi, Arun Patil, JMD Enterprises, and alleged transporter Sanjay Mata, have been named as suspects.
The FDA has requested the police to investigate the suspects’ criminal records, the supply chain of the banned gutkha, and financial transactions, proposing action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) based on the findings.
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