Banned tobacco worth Rs 21 lakh seized in Palghar

A large stock of banned pan masala and scented tobacco worth nearly Rs 21 lakh was seized in Palghar district of Maharashtra on Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway and one person was arrested in this connection, an official said Friday.

The accused, Janardan Gaikwad (36), from Beed was arrested by Kasa police for transporting the banned items towards Mumbai in a tempo, Palghar police spokesperson Hemant Kumar Katkar said.

"The tempo was intercepted early on Wednesday morning at Ghol check post and 1,600 boxes pan masala besides 3,840 boxes of scented tobacco collectively worth Rs 20.73 lakh were seized," he said.

The accused has been booked under different sections of the IPC, police said.