Vikash Sharma

Cuttack: After crackdown on multiple adulterated spices processing units, the Commissionerate Police on Monday busted a duplicate gutkha (tobacco) manufacturing unit operating in a clandestine manner at the Jagatpur Industrial Estate in Cuttack.

Receiving a tip-off, a team of the police raided the illegal factory and seized fake tobacco products worth lakhs of rupees. Several other items including raw materials, labels used in manufacture of the duplicate gutkha products have also been seized from the unit, police said.

Meanwhile, a joint team of Tangi police and special squad busted another fake gutkha and pan masala manufacturing unit at Nirgundi area of Cuttack. Two persons, who were present at the spot, have been detained and are being interrogated by a team of officials, police said. Apart from this, several equipment including machinery and raw materials have also been recovered.

Sources said the fake gutkha manufacturing unit was operating from the house for the past couple of months. The main gate and shutter of the unit was kept closed from the front while the entire operation was being carried out from the back entrance.

According to the information shared by senior police officials, the cost of the seized Gutkha and pan masala is estimated to be over Rs 10 lakh.

On November 14, Jagatpur police had seized over 50 quintals of adulterated turmeric and chilli powder following a sudden raid on a manufacturing unit. The raid was carried out two days after another adulterated spices manufacturing unit was busted in Malgodown area of the city.

(Edited By Devbrat Patnaik)

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