Crackdown on illegal sale of Gutkha, 750 arrested in city

Launching a major crack down on illegal sale of gutkha, pan masala and other banned items, the Chennai City Police have arrested 750 people and seized tobacco products worth Rs 10.04 lakh and Rs 1.07 cash items during the last four days. Police sources said here today that during the intensive raids conducted during the last four days, 750 people, who were found selling banned items like Mava, Pan Masala and other items, were arrested. A total of 722 cases were registered and 44,101 pan masala and mava products, valued at Rs 10.04 lakh were seized, along with 1.07 lakh in cash. The total seizure was worth Rs 12.01 lakh.

On instructions from Chennai City Police Commissioner A K Viswanathan, special teams, headed by Inspectors, were formed in all police stations, which maintained strict vigil in their jurisdictions, conducted searches in all petty shops and in godowns and effected the seizure. Police were also organising awareness campaigns among the shop owners, petty shop-keepers, owners of goods carriers and drivers on the ill-effects of the tobacco products and to prevent their sale.