Gutka worth Rs 35 lakh seized, two held

Gutka worth Rs 35 lakh was seized and two persons were arrested in this connection from Virar Phata in neighbouring Palghar district, police said today.

Gutka, which is banned in Maharashtra, was being transported into the state from Gujarat when it was seized on Sunday, Palghar district rural police said.

The police had received a tip-off that a vehicle would be transporting the banned substance into Maharashtra from the neighbouring state. Accordingly, police kept a close vigil and intercepted the vehicle on Sunday, an official release said.

"As many as 153 gunny bags of gutka was seized along with the tempo that was coming from Gujarat, and two persons were arrested," it said adding that the action was taken by the personnel of Local Crime Branch of Vasai Unit.

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has been informed about the seizure of gutka, police said.

Further investigation into the case is on.