Betel nut-laden truck seized in Sambalpur by GST enforcement team

A truck carrying betel nuts was seized by the GST Department’s enforcement team in Sambalpur following a late-night raid on Friday.

Acting on a tip-off from reliable sources, the team intercepted the truck near Bareipalli Square while it was entering the city at night.

During the inspection, around 27 tonnes of betel nuts were seized from the vehicle. The truck driver failed to produce any valid documents related to the consignment. 

It is yet to be ascertained if the betel nuts were being transported to any gutkha manufacturing unit.

According to sources, a notice has been served to the driver, and if he is unable to produce satisfactory documents within three days, necessary actions will be taken as per the provision in the law.

Also Read: Betel nuts worth over Rs 1 Crore seized in Odisha: Police intensify probe into smuggling network

However, no official reaction was received from the GST Department in this regard so far.

In April last year, betel nuts valued at more than Rs 1 crore were seized in Paradip of Jagatsinghpur district.

A concerted effort by the local marine police, customs officials, and the Coast Guard led to the arrest of 14 suspects believed to be linked to the smuggling network.