Sinnar police seize gutka worth Rs 1.6 crore

Nashik: The Sinnar police seized banned gutka worth Rs 1.6 crore after intercepting two trucks on the Sinnar-Bargaon Pimpri Road on Sunday night, arresting one driver while another fled the scene.

The arrested accused, identified as Rabbi Shaikh of Mangrulpir in Washim, was produced before a court on Monday and remanded in three days of police custody. Officers said the investigation will focus on identifying the source of the contraband and its intended destination.

Acting on a tip-off received by inspector Hemantkumar Bhamre, the police teams set up a nakabandi near Sangle farmhouse along the route. At 6pm, two container trucks suspected of transporting illegal gutka were intercepted.

During the operation, while police were questioning the drivers and taking custody of the vehicles, one of the drivers managed to escape.

A search of the trucks led to the seizure of more than 300 bags of banned tobacco products and paan masala valued at over Rs 1.6 crore. The two trucks used for transportation were also seized and are valued at approximately Rs 3.5 crore.

The police said the action was carried out under the guidance of superintendent of police D S Swami and SDPO Kantilal Patil by a team comprising inspector Bhamre, sub-inspector Ankush Warungase, assistant inspector Samadhan Borade and other personnel.