In a major crackdown on the illegal sale and distribution of banned gutkha, Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch (Unit 6, Chembur) unearthed two godowns in Bhiwandi that stored a massive stock of prohibited tobacco products worth over Rs 1.14 crore. The raid, carried out late on October 3, followed crucial leads developed during an ongoing investigation into a gutkha smuggling network.

According to officers, the operation was conducted near a water tank on Mankoli Road in Bhiwandi’s Velegaon area. During the raid, police seized 158 large sacks of gutkha and tobacco mixtures, collectively valued at Rs 73.5 lakh.