Gutkha, scented tobacco and pan masala worth Rs 9.38 lakh seized in Nagpur's Yashodhara Nagar

The illegal sale and supply of banned tobacco products continues in Nagpur, a midnight raid has shown once again. The police commissioner's escort squad seized a large stock of banned gutkha, scented tobacco and scented pan masala. The haul is worth Rs 9,37,951.

The action was carried out at about 1.35 am in Mehboobpura, which falls under the Yashodhara Nagar police station area.

Police had received information that banned tobacco products were being kept at two separate places on plot number 899 near Noori Masjid in Tipu Sultan Chowk. Acting on this, the escort squad raided the spot. Faim Ansari (40), a resident of Mehboobpura, was found there. In the presence of independent witnesses, police searched a room under a tin shed on the terrace of the first floor of the house. A large stock of gutkha and other tobacco products was found in it.

Police then also checked a second room adjoining the rented house of Faim's brother, Nadeem alias Lakhan Nabi Ahmed Ansari (38). Banned gutkha, scented tobacco and pan masala were found there too. Police said the total value of the goods seized from the two places is Rs 9,37,951.

During initial questioning, Faim is said to have told police that the seized stock belonged to his brother Nadeem alias Lakhan. Police suspect that the two brothers together secretly supplied banned tobacco products to paan stalls across the city. Where the goods were being brought from, through whom they were sold and how many paan stalls in the city the network reaches are being investigated.

A case has been registered at Yashodhara Nagar police station on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Sadashiv Kanse. The seized goods and the accused have been handed over to Yashodhara Nagar police for further legal action. Police now face the challenge of finding out who the real supplier of the banned tobacco products is and uncovering the full chain behind this illegal trade.