A 28-year-old individual, identified as Guddu Minku Gupta, was taken into custody in Mumbai for engaging in an illicit activity. Allegedly, he was found in possession of prohibited tobacco products valued at Rs 1.97 lakh, leading to his arrest by the Navi Police on Monday.
Acting on a tip-off, the Navi Mumbai crime branch conducted a raid on the accused’s room in a chawl located in Padgha village, Taloja area, as reported by an official from the Taloja police station. The search yielded a significant cache of scented tobacco, betel nuts, and paan masala with a combined worth of Rs 1.97 lakh.
According to authorities, Guddu reportedly had plans to collaborate with two other individuals, who have yet to be apprehended, in order to sell the seized products. The police are actively engaged in an effort to locate and apprehend these individuals.
An FIR has been registered against all three accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, in addition to provisions from the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act, 2003.
It’s important to note that the sale or consumption of scented and flavoured tobacco has been prohibited in Maharashtra since 2012. Since 2018, selling gutka is classified as a non-bailable offence by the government. Furthermore, individuals involved in such illicit activities can face an enhanced punishment ranging from six months to three years of imprisonment.
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