Gutka, illicit booze worth Rs 9.9Lakh seized

Mumbai: The Palghar police has seized consignments of gutka and illicit liquor worth Rs 9.98 lakh (in all) in two separate raids. The gutka was being smuggled into the state from Gujarat in a truck, and the driver and cleaner of the vehicle were arrested.

The Kasa police, which had received a tip-off about the smuggling activity, laid a trap and intercepted the vehicle near Charoti toll plaza. The police has also informed the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials, who have confiscated the banned substance.  The officials said that the haul included four different brands of gutka that is in high demand in Mumbai region.

“We are questioning the accused to find the source and destination of the banned substance. The driver acted as the means of delivery and it seems he had transported the substance earlier too,” said an officer of Palghar police station.

The police has registered a case as per provisions of the Food Adulteration Act.

In the other case, the police seized illicit liquor worth around Rs 20,000 from three persons following complaints of smuggling and the illegal sale of liquor in Dahanu, Jawhar and Manor. A case has been registered against the trio.