Gutkha, raw material worth Rs 1.23 crore seized in raid

A team of local police and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials has recovered banned gutkha and machinery to manufacture it, collectively worth Rs 1.23 crore, from a godown here, authorities said today.
On a tip-off, a team comprising sleuths of Crime Branch, FDA and Revenue department raided the warehouse located in MIDC area last night and seized 149 bags containing gutkha pouches worth Rs 32.80 lakh, raw material and five machines worth Rs 90 lakh, Tehsildar J.D. Walvi said.
Police said the suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, had rented the godown and was allegedly involved in manufacture and sale of gutkha, which was banned by the High Court last year.

A search is on to trace the suspect, they said.