Illegal gutkha worth Rs 25 lakh seized from Nashik-Pune highway

Illicit gutkha worth over Rs 25 lakh has been seized by police from a truck on Nashik-Pune highway, an official said Saturday. On a tip-off, a police team intercepted a truck near Narayan Bapu Nagar locality along the highway on Friday and found 68 bags of gutkha stored in the vehicle, said Upnagar police station incharge Prabhakar Rayte. However, the driver managed to flee.

The manufacture and sale of gutkha and scented tobacco are banned in Maharashtra. According to the Food and Drugs Administration department officials, the value of the seizure is Rs 25.93 lakh. A case has been registered by Upnagar police and further investigation is underway.