Two tonnes of gutkha and tobacco seized

Officials of Food Safety Department seized two tonnes of banned gutka and tobacco products from a warehouse on Mohammed Ali Jinnah Street here on Friday. The seized products was valued at around ₹4 lakh.

The tobacco products in sachets were found at the godown. R. Chitra, Designated officer, Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, and other FSSAI officials said he warehouse on Jinnah Street was a source of supply of banned tobacco products to retail vendors in the city.

Speaking to

The Hindu , Dr. Chitra said they had acted on a tip-off and raided the godown. "Samples of the gutka and tobacco packs have been sent for lab testing and a case will be registered. The identity of the owner of the godown is being investigated," she said.

The FSSAI officials said that the banned tobacco products were mainly smuggled from Bengaluru to Tamil Nadu. Further action would be taken against the godown owner based on the lab test reports.