Guthka worth Rs 12 lakh seized near Mumbai

The truck was seized on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway (Picture: Palghat Police)

Palghar police on Wednesday confiscated gutkha worth over Rs 12 lakh from a tempo that was coming to Mumbai from neighbouring Gujarat. The tobacco-based product is banned in Maharashtra.

According to officials, the contraband worth Rs 12.28 lakh was hidden inside a special cavity made in the tempo. The vehicle was carrying gunny bags containing rags, but the smell of gutkha aroused suspicion.

The driver of the tempo, Salman Ahmed, was subsequently arrested. He later revealed that the consignment was meant to be delivered to one Wasim Sheikh of Govandi. The incident took place on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway.

Investigations are currently underway to find details of the racket. Meanwhile, the seized gutkha had been handed over to the Food and Drug Administration.