Gutka packets worth 45 lakh seized; 4 traders held

Nellore: City II-Town cops have arrested four gutka traders and seized gutka packets worth Rs 45 lakh from them. They also seized one car, four motor cycles and nine mobile phones from them. The accused were identified as K Tirupataiah, P Nagendra Babu, K Chandra, and Ch Anand Kumar. Addressing the media, city DSP N B M Murali Krishna said that II-Town police had conducted raids at farm lands close to FCI Colony and also on the national highway on Wednesday.

They identified that some traders were getting ready to sell the banned gutka packets to retailers, who spread across the district, the DSP said. On receiving a tip off about the illegal trading, the cops conducted raids on the place, he added.

‘Traders have pelted stones on the police personnel who were conducting raids. They also tried to attack the police,’ said the city DSP. He explained that they had booked non-bailable cases against these traders. 63 bags of gutka packets including one car, 4 motor cycles, and 9 mobile phones worth Rs 45 lakh were seized from them, he added.

City DSP also informed that they had information about gutka trading and 407 vehicles including parcel services that have been engaged in the trading. He warned that stern action would be taken against the gutka traders, he added. He urged the youth and workers not to consume gutka packets that have been banned. Measures would be taken to make the city as gutka-free, the DSP stated.

He appealed to the people to inform about the gutka trading at their surrounding areas by sending info through the Whatsapp number 9390777727. City DSP handed over rewards to the police personnel who demonstrated good performance in the investigation. II-town Circle Inspector M Venkat Rao and others were present.