Gutka-making unit busted near Pune

Gutka and other banned material worth Rs 13 lakh has been seized by the Food and Drugs Administration department in a raid conducted at Sangamner village in Pune district.
On a tip off, the sleuths recently raided a tin shed where some workers were producing and packing gutka, whose sale, purchase and storage is banned in the state.
The seized material includes loose gutka worth Rs 10.80 lakh, scented masala of Rs 59,520, raw material such as catechu powder worth Rs 1.28 lakh and scented tobacco worth Rs 50,000, a packing machine and packing rolls, an official statement said today.

The total value of the seizure is assessed at Rs 13,17,520.
The department has conducted as many as 880 raids across the state and seized gutka and pan-masala worth Rs 15 crore.
The crackdown on illegal gutka trade followed the instructions given by FDA Minister Girish Bapat, also Guardian Minister of Pune district.