In a significant crackdown on illegal tobacco trade, Navi Mumbai police have seized banned tobacco products worth Rs 9.6 lakh. This operation marks a major victory in the fight against the illicit tobacco market in Maharashtra.
The seizure was the result of a well-executed midnight operation by the Vashi police. Acting on a tip-off, the police intercepted a tempo near Vashigaon on the Panvel-Sion road, uncovering a large quantity of pan masala and other tobacco items.
The Accused and the Law
Two individuals, aged 30 and 51, were arrested at the scene. They are now facing charges under several sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. The police are also investigating to trace other individuals involved in this network.
A Continued Effort
This incident is part of a larger effort to combat the sale and consumption of gutka, scented and flavored tobacco in Maharashtra, which has been banned since 2012. The authorities remain vigilant, aiming to dismantle the networks that fuel this illegal trade.
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